UN Security Council condemns killing of peacekeeper in Central African Republic

The UN Security Council on Wednesday condemned in the strongest terms the killing of a UN peacekeeper in the Central African Republic (CAR) during an attack against a checkpoint of the UN mission.

The council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), said a press statement of the council.

Following an outbreak of violence between armed anti-Balaka and ex-Seleka elements at an internally displaced persons camp in Batangafo, ex-Seleka elements confronted MINUSCA troops at a nearby MINUSCA checkpoint.

During the incident, the peacekeeper from Cameroon went missing and was subsequently found dead.

The council underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Moreover, the council called on the CAR authorities to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSCA to assist the Transitional Authorities, which bear the primary responsibility to protect the CAR people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country, said the statement.

The CAR's electoral commission announced on Oct. 29 that presidential and parliamentary elections would be held on Dec. 13, with a run-off on Jan. 24.

The CAR 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 in the CAR after a breakdown of governmental authority and vicious intercommunal fighting. Enditem