Secretary-General Condemns Attack That Killed Kenyan Peacekeeper in United Nations Mission in Central African Republic

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack on 28 March by armed elements against peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic near Tabane, Haut-Mbomou Prefecture, in the south-east of the country, while they were conducting a long-range patrol to protect civilians.  The unacceptable attack resulted in the killing of a peacekeeper from Kenya.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the Government and the people of Kenya.

The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.  He calls on the Central African authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of this tragedy so that they can be brought to justice swiftly.

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