UN chief slams killing of peacekeeper in Central African Republic

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the killing of a United Nations peacekeeper in the Central African Republic, saying that the attack is "unacceptable" and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

"The secretary-general condemns the killing of a peacekeeper from the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 17 April in the town of Rafai in Mbomou prefecture," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement read to the press here.

The incident occurred when a MINUSCA patrol was dispatched to Rafai in response to an attack on the nearby village, Agoumar, by alleged elements of the Lord's Resistance Army, the statement said.

A Moroccan peacekeeper was shot by unknown assailants. He died of wounds later Sunday.

"The secretary-general reiterates that attacks against those who are working towards peace and security in the Central African Republic are unacceptable," the spokesman said. "He calls on the newly-elected government to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice."

The secretary-general offered his sincere condolences to the family of the victim and to the Kingdom of Morocco, according to Dujarric.

The Central African Republic has recently witnessed an upsurge in violence in Bangui, the national capital, that has left more than 30 people dead and more than 100 wounded, with thousands more to flee their homes in search of safety.

MINUSCA was set up in April 2014 to help bring peace in the Central African Republic after a breakdown of governmental authority and vicious intercommunal fighting.

Source: XINHUA