United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).  (Credit: UN/MINUSCA) 

By   Gary  Raynaldo    –    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

A UN peacekeeper from Kenya was killed Friday in an ambush of a MINUSCA Force patrol in the east of the Central African Republic.  Florence Marchal, spokesperson for MINUSCA, said the attack was carried out Friday morning near the village of Tabane, 24 km northwest of Zemio, in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture. Marchal said Valentine Rugwabiza, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the CAR and Head of MINUSCA, strongly condemned the attack against the peacekeeping force.

“The Special Representative is extremely shocked by this heinous attack on peacekeepers whose mission is to protect civilians. She extends her deepest condolences to the Government and people of Kenya and expresses her full sympathy to the victim’s family,” Marchal said in a statement. Marchal added that a rapid intervention team had been deployed to the site of the incident to secure the area. The MINUSCA head warned that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and called on CAR authorities “to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of the attack so that they can be brought to justice swiftly.”