Off the wire
• Chinese surgeons use 3D printer in pediatric heart surgery  • Courts in BiH solve about 170,000 cold cases in 2016  • Web users select China's "Good Samaritans"  • Rwanda seeks to export processed minerals by end 2017  • Pakistan hands over Indian soldier who "deserted" post, says FM  • BiH exports up 4.8 pct year-on-year in 2016  • Roundup: More survivors saved in Italy's ski hotel buried by avalanche  • Spotlight: S. Koreans condemn right-wing Japanese hotel distorting wartime history  • China's top farm product export province sets new record  • Roundup: Australian Open enters business end  
You are here: 　 Home

Burundi rotates contingent in Central African Republic

Xinhua, January 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Burundian Army Saturday sent the first batch of 188 soldiers to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) to rotate its contingent, the Burundian army said.

"188 soldiers including 186 men and two women have left for the MINUSCA as part of the beginning of the rotation of the Burundian contingent or battalion of the MINUSCA," Burundian Army Spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza said.

According to him, the second Burundian battalion has ended its mission at the MINUSCA and is being replaced by the third battalion.

"The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Burundian government and the MINUSCA stipulates that the rotation is operated by the contributor of troops after one year. The rotation should have happened in July last year (2016), but due to technical and operational reasons, the rotation could not take place," Colonel Baratuza said.

According to him, the insecurity that prevailed in the Central African Republic in July 2016 could not allow the rotation of the Burundian contingent.

He condemned the behavior of "detractors" who are tarnishing the image of Burundian peacekeepers of the MINUSCA.

"The conduct of Burundian troops serving in peacekeeping missions is exemplary. You cannot shorten the duration of a mission of someone who does well his assignments," Colonel Baratuza said.

He emphasized that Burundian troops hold strategic posts in the Central African Republic and ensures security of authorities and guests in that central African state.

Burundi has sent 850 troops to the MINUSCA. Endit