India strongly condemns attack on MINUSCA peacekeepers in Central African Republic

New Delhi, January 19: Strongly condemning the attack on peacekeepers of MINUSCA in the Central African Republic, India on Tuesday extended deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the peacekeepers from Rwanda and Burundi, and also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. "India strongly condemns the attack on peacekeepers of MINUSCA in the Central African Republic, that has resulted in the death of a peacekeeper from Rwanda on 13 January and one from Burundi on 15 January. We also remember the three Burundian MINUSCA peacekeepers who had laid down their lives on 25 December last year", the statement by MEA added.

 

 

Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed after their convoy was ambushed by members of the UPC and anti-Balaka armed groups in southern Central African Republic (CAR), the UN Mission in the country said on Monday. The attack took place some 17 kilometres (about 11 miles) from Bangassou, the capital of the Mbomou prefecture. UN peacekeepers had retaken control of the city on Friday, after it captured two weeks earlier by anti-government armed groups.

 

 

 

Mankeur Ndiaye, head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA), strongly condemned the attack and stressed that the Mission “will work with the Central African authorities to ensure that the perpetrators and accomplices of these war crimes are arrested and held accountable for their acts.”

 

 

 

MINUSCA has lost seven peacekeepers since anti-Balaka, 3R, MPC and Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) armed groups, allies of former president François Bozizé- launched coordinated and simultaneous attacks. In spite of the challenges, the UN Mission remains committed to pursuing its mandate of protecting civilian populations and securing elections.