Security Council Press Statement on Attack against Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Ma Zhaoxu (China):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack by suspected members of the Siriri armed group against a temporary operating base of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), which took place on 16 November in the village of Gbambia (prefecture of Mambere-Kadei, in the west of the Central African Republic) and resulted in the death of one Tanzanian peacekeeper.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed, as well as to Tanzania and to MINUSCA.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks, provocations and incitement to violence against MINUSCA by armed groups and other perpetrators.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.  They called on the Government of the Central African Republic to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSCA and expressed their deep appreciation to MINUSCA’s troop- and police-contributing countries.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, and for MINUSCA to assist the Central African Republic authorities and the people of the Central African Republic in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2446 (2018) that extended until 15 December 2018 the mandate of MINUSCA as set out in resolution 2387 (2017).