Kenyan peacekeeper dies in Central African Republic

Kenyan peacekeeper dies in Central African Republic

The Special Representative further said she was "extremely shocked by the heinous attack" on peacekeepers whose mission is to protect civilians.

The United Nations mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has announced the death of a Kenyan peacekeeper in Haut-Mbomou following an ambush by an armed group targeting their convoy.

The announcement made by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and Head of MINUSCA, Valentine Rugwabiza, further strongly condemned the ambush, stating that it was carried out against a MINUSCA force on patrol near the village of Tabane, 24 km northwest of Zemio, in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture.

"A Kenyan peacekeeper was killed in this extremely violent attack perpetrated by unidentified armed elements," Ms Rugwabiza said from Bangui, CAR's capital, on Saturday.

The Special Representative further said she was "extremely shocked by the 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. A rapid intervention team has been deployed to the site of the incident to secure the area," the statement adds.

As the search continues, the envoy warned that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and called on the Central African authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of the attack so that they can be brought to justice swiftly.

She further reaffirmed that such cowardly attacks against the Mission's peacekeepers will not diminish MINUSCA's determination to carry out its mandate in the service of peace and stability in the Central African Republic.

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