While on a routine patrol near the town of Dilapoko in the southwest of the Central African Republic, a group of United Nations peacekeepers came under fire by armed elements. These peacekeepers had been working for the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, or MINUSCA. One Tanzanian peacekeeper was killed and seven others were injured in the ambush, four of them were taken to the UN Military Hospital in Bangui in serious or critical condition.
The United Nations formally condemned the attack through a Monday press release of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He called for the Central African Republic Government to seek out the people responsible and stated that the targeting of United Nation peacekeepers could constitute a war crime. The statement also reaffirmed the United Nations’ support of MINUSCA as a major contributor to peace in the country. Four UN peacekeepers have been killed during targeted attacks by rebel groups in 2018 alone.
MINUSCA is responsible for providing stability to one of the most volatile regions in the world. The Christian-majority country has been plagued by intermittent violence since the ousting of President Francois Bozize by the Muslim Séléka Rebel Coalition in 2013. Fearing the growing power of Muslims in the country, many Christian communities formed Anti-Balaka militias. The conflict between Muslim rebels and Christian militants persists today, with MINUSCA peacekeepers attempting to maintain order.
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