UN mission slams attacks on peacekeepers in Central African Republic

The UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on Monday condemned the repeated attacks against its peacekeepers in the country, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

"A UN convoy was attacked yesterday in the area of Dekoa and another one between Grimai and Sibut three days before," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here. "Five peacekeepers were wounded in the first attack."

"The UN Mission stressed that the perpetrators of these attacks will be held accountable, including, where necessary, for war crimes," the spokesman said.

The attack took place three days after that against a convoy from Bambari secured by the Mauritanian contingent of the UN Mission was attacked between Grimari and Sibut, wounding five peacekeepers.

According to preliminary information, a group of an estimated 50 armed elements opened fire on peacekeepers and civilians while they were trying to repair a vehicle of the convoy.

The mission strongly condemned these "cowardly and irresponsible actions," and urged an immediate end to such attacks against its "blue helmets" and mission premises.

Meanwhile, the mission denounced any and all provocative statements wrongly accusing its contingents and stressed that such allegations, some of which have religious connotations, can cast doubt on the impartiality of its troops.

A civil war in the Central African Republic broke out on Dec. 10, 2012 between Seleka rebel coalition and government forces.

Seleka took power from former President Francois Bozize in March 2013 and the rebel's leader Michel Djotodia declared himself as president.

A National Transitional council was established and elected Catherine Samba-Panza as provisional president until the second round of the new election on Feb. 14, 2016, in which Faustin Archange Touadera was elected as the president. Enditem