MINUSCA said it had launched an immediate investigation “in order to shed light on the facts and circumstances” of the attack.Ms. Rugwabiza, who is also UN Special Representative in CAR, saluted the “commitment and determination of the peacekeepers deployed within MINUSCA.” The Secretary-General also reaffirmed the solidarity of the United Nations with the people and Government of the Central African Republic.
Possible war crime
UN peacekeepers patrol the town of Bambari in the Central African Republic. (file) Mr. Guterres noted that the night restriction on flights, “negatively impacts the safety and security of peacekeepers, who take considerable risks daily, to support national authorities.” The UN chief also called on authorities in CAR to life a restriction in place on night flights. The convoy attacked on Monday was travelling by road as part of its protection of civilians mandate. MINUSCA/Hervé Serefio The ‘blue helmets’ from the UN Stabilization Mission in CAR, MINUSCA, were travelling on night patrol, near the village of Kaita, when their vehicle detonated an explosive device. The injured were evacuated to Bouar, where they are receiving treatment at a MINUSCA hospital, the mission said in a statement.
‘Attack on peace efforts’
Reiterating its determination to carry out its mandate to protect civilians, “MINUSCA continues to support the Central African authorities in the fight against the threats posed by the presence of explosive devices”, through demining and clearance efforts, she added. Reacting to news of the attack on Twitter, UN peacekeeping chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, condemned the “cowardly attack”, adding that “every attack on peacekeepers is an attack on peace efforts, and against the communities who ear the brunt of conflict, and long for peace.”
“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 attack, so that they can be brought to justice swiftly.”
