KIGALI, Rwanda
The United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has condemned the killing of a Rwandan peacekeeper serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF),
whose names are yet to be revealed was killed in an attack on July 13 in
Central African Republic.
Guterres,
through his Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said he strongly condemns the
attack allegedly carried out by the Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R)
armed elements who targeted a MINUSCA convoy in Gedze, Nana-Mambere prefecture
in the northwest of the country.
The attack claimed a peacekeeper
from Rwanda and two others were wounded. The RDF Acting Spokesperson in a phone
call with Kigali Today confirmed the development but said the names will be
revealed after his family is informed.
“The
Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the victim
as well as to the people and Government of Rwanda. He wishes a speedy recovery
to the injured,” a statement from Guterres’ office reads.
“The Secretary-General recalls
that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes
under international law. He calls on the Central African Republic authorities
to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of this attack so that they
can be brought to justice swiftly,” it adds.
The
Secretary-General reaffirmed that the United Nations will continue to support
national efforts to advance peace and stability in the Central African
Republic, working closely with the country’s international partners.
MINUSCA, the UN peacekeeping
operation in the Central African Republic, works to protect civilians and
support transition processes.
The
authorities and 14 armed groups, which included 3R, signed a Political
Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in February 2019.
“This criminal attack constitutes
a new violation of the peace agreement by the 3R & its leader Abass
Sidiki”, the UN mission said on Twitter.
The head of UN Peacekeeping also
condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly attack.
“This cowardly attack”, adding
that “this crime must not go unpunished, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of
MINUSCA said on Twitter, strongly condemning the attack.
Rwanda is the leading contributor of peacekeepers to MINUSCA, with about 1,357 troops and 420 officers.
No comments:
Post a Comment