Guterres Denounces Violence Against UN Forces in Central African Republic

Edited by:  Reda El Ghazal

The United Nations has voiced strong condemnation following a lethal incident targeting its peacekeeping personnel in the Central African Republic. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his sorrow over the loss and called for immediate accountability. He extended his sympathy to the families affected and to the government and citizens of Zambia, whose national was among the casualties. He also conveyed hope for a swift recovery of those injured in the attack.

This recent violence marks the third fatal assault on United Nations personnel in the country this year, underlining the escalating threats faced by peacekeepers. Prior attacks claimed the lives of a Kenyan soldier in March and a Tunisian soldier in February. More recently, two Nepalese personnel sustained injuries in another violent episode in the southwestern region. These repeated incidents have prompted renewed international concern over the safety of peacekeeping forces operating in volatile environments.

Guterres emphasized that deliberate attacks against peacekeepers may constitute serious breaches of international law and urged Central African authorities to act decisively in identifying and prosecuting those responsible.

His position was echoed by Valentine Rugwabiza, who leads the UN mission MINUSCA. She warned against the rising hostility targeting UN forces and reiterated the need for concrete legal consequences.

Since its establishment in 2014, MINUSCA has worked to stabilize a nation long afflicted by conflict and insecurity. The mission currently includes approximately seventeen thousand personnel. According to UN data, more than 150 peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving in the country. A recent report by UNHCR noted that surging violence along the Sudanese border has increased displacement and forced MINUSCA to intensify its presence in high-risk areas, further complicating an already fragile security landscape.