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UN Mission reports ongoing tensions in capital of Central African Republic

Xinhua, November 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) continues to report ongoing tensions in the national capital of Bangui, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"Today, in the capital's 8th district, suspected anti-Balaka combatants attacked a commercial convoy being escorted by the Mission on three separate occasions," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing held here Wednesday. "A civilian driver and two peacekeepers have been wounded and one of the peacekeepers is reported to be in critical condition."

The UN Mission also reported that on Tuesday, anti-Balaka combatants fired shots from near the Fatima Church in Bangui's 6th district during a visit by the UN secretary-general's special representative, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga.

Peacekeepers returned fire, but there was no casualty reported.

"The Mission strongly condemns all attacks and provocations by armed groups and underlines that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute a war crime," he said. "The Mission reiterates its call on all armed groups to end the fighting and abide by their commitments to the peace process."

The Central African Republic has recently witnessed an upsurge in violence in Bangui, that has left more than 30 people dead and more than 100 wounded, with thousands more to flee their homes in search of safety.

MINUSCA was set up in April 2014 to help bring peace after a breakdown of governmental authority and vicious intercommunal fighting. Endit