(MINUSCA/Leonel Grothe )   ‘Blue helmets’ from the UN mission in the Central African Republic on patrol in Mbomou Prefecture. 

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  NEW  YORK  –  At least three UN Burundian peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) were killed  Friday in attacks by unidentified armed combatants  in Dékoa, Kémo Prefecture, and Bakouma, Mbomou Prefecture.  The UN Secretary-General strongly condemned the attacks that also left another two wounded.  The peacekeepers killed were part of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR  (MINUSCA).  In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated that attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute a war crime. 

“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased peacekeepers, as well as to the people and Government of Burundi. He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.  The Secretary-General recalls that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime. He calls on the Central African Republic authorities to investigate these heinous attacks and swiftly bring perpetrators to justice.” 

-Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General  

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the CAR and its regional implications, the UN Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 the  MINUSCA mission with the protection of civilians as its priority.

Surge In Violence in The CAR

The attacks, carried out by unidentified gunmen, took place as violence escalated in several parts of CAR, ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday.   According to a UN official in the country, the insecurity has “panicked” the population and led to over 55,000 people fleeing their homes, further increasing their vulnerability.  There has also been an increase in attacks targeting humanitarian actors. In the past week alone, over 17 incidents against aid personnel and assets were recorded, with an ambulance and a health district vehicle hijacked, injuring a worker.