Guterres says Central African Republic must ‘leave no stone unturned’ to help bring killers of UN peacekeepers to justice |
The ‘blue helmets’ from the UN Stabilization Mission in CAR, MINUSCA, were traveling on night patrol, near the village of Kaita, when their vehicle planted an explosive device. The injured have been transferred to Bouar, where they are receiving treatment at a MINUSCA hospital, the mission said in a statement.
MINUSCA said it had launched an immediate investigation “in order to shed light on the facts and circumstances” of the attack.
In a statement released Tuesday night in New York City by its Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, joined the head of MINUSCA, Valentine Rubwabiza, in offering his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and the Government, and people, of Bangladesh.
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“The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. He called on the authorities of the Central African Republic not to make efforts to identify those who have recently attacked, so that they can be brought to justice quickly.”
The UN chief also called on the authorities in CAR to restrict access to night flights. The vehicles that were attacked on Monday were traveling through the road as part of the protection of citizens’ order.
Mr. Guterres noted that the night restriction on flights, “negatively affects the safety and security of peacekeepers, who take great risks every day, to support national authorities.”
The Secretary-General also reiterated the solidarity of the United Nations with the people and Government of the Central African Republic.
Ms. Rugwabiza, who is also the UN Special Representative in CAR, said “the decision and determination of the peacekeepers deployed within MINUSCA.”
‘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 de-escalation and clearance, he added.
Responding to the news of the attack on Twitter, the UN peacekeeping chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, condemned the “attack of fear”, adding that “every attack on peacekeepers is an attack on peace efforts, and on hostile areas of war, and hope for peace.”
UN troops are guarding the town of Bambari in the Central African Republic. (file)
