UN Peacekeeper killed in an attack in CAR

A Rwandan soldier of the UN Peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was killed Monday in an attack during a patrol.
“Earlier today, a peacekeeper from Rwanda was killed when his unit came under attack by members of an unidentified armed group” during a patrol in the village of Sam-Ouandja, in the eastern prefecture of Haute-Kotto, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres‘ spokesman (Stephane Dujarric) told reporters.
“We add our voice to that of the head of the peacekeeping mission, Valentine Rugwabiza, in strongly condemning this attack,” he said.
Dujarric also indicated that blue helmets as the forces are also referred to, killed three militants in response to the attack.
The blue helmets were deployed to Sam-Ouandja last week “in response to an attack on the town by an armed group, which fled after an initial intervention by peacekeepers”, the UN official added.
“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.
Rugwabiza re-affirmed Minusca’s commitment to maintaining its robust posture in carrying out its mandate to protect civilians, in support of the Central African authorities.
At least 32 troops and police officers from UN peacekeeping missions were killed around the world in 2022, including four in the Central African Republic, per data from the UN.