Secretary-General Condemns Attack on Peacekeepers in Central African Republic

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General condemns the killing on 15 January of one Cameroonian peacekeeper from the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the wounding of five others, including two seriously, by an explosive in Mbindali, in Ouham-Pendé Prefecture, north-west of Paoua.

The Secretary-General offers his sincere condolences to the family of the victim and to the Government of Cameroon and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded.

The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.  He calls on the Central African Republic authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of this attack and bringing them to justice swiftly.

The Secretary-General reaffirms the solidarity of the United Nations with the people and Government of the Central African Republic.