A member of the United Nations peacekeeping force, known as the blue helmets, hailing from Rwanda, was killed on Monday in an attack by an armed group in the Central African Republic, according to a UN spokesperson.
“Earlier today, a peacekeeper from Rwanda was killed when his unit came under attack by members of an unidentified armed group” during a patrol of the village of Sam-Ouandja in the eastern prefecture of Haute-Kotto, stated Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing reporters.
“We add our voice to that of the head of the peacekeeping mission, Valentine Rugwabiza, in strongly condemning this attack,” he expressed.
Dujarric further added that three of the attackers were also killed when the peacekeepers retaliated.
Last week, the blue helmets were deployed to Sam-Ouandja “in response to an attack on the town by an armed group, which fled after an initial intervention by peacekeepers,” he explained.
“Over the past five days, the mission has expanded its security perimeter around the town to protect the community and support the safe delivery of humanitarian aid,” Dujarric added.
He confirmed that the peacekeepers will remain stationed in the village and mentioned that the MINUSCA mission was in communication with Central African authorities regarding the deployment of national troops as reinforcements.
