Central African Republic: a dozen peacekeepers injured by shots from the presidential guard

Published on : 11/02/2021 – 11:07

State officials firing on agents of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA): around ten Egyptian peacekeepers were injured by shots fired by the presidential guard on Monday, November 1 in Bangui, according to the UN on Tuesday, which condemns “a deliberate and unspeakable attack”.

“The elements of the Egyptian formed police unit”, which were circulating in a bus, “came under heavy fire from the presidential guard without prior warning or any response, while they were not armed,” he said. ‘UN in a press release. Two of them were seriously injured.

A clearly identifiable UN vehicle

Leaving the area after the shootings, about 120 meters from the presidential residence, the bus “hit a woman who lost her life,” added Minusca who “offered condolences to the victim’s family during the a meeting at the end of the day “.

These elements of the police unit had arrived during the day from Bangui airport as part of the periodic rotation and deployment of troops in the Central African Republic. They were heading towards their base in a bus clearly identified “with the initials UN”, according to Vladimir Monteiro, spokesman for Minusca.

Classified as the second least developed country in the world by the UN, the Central African Republic was plunged into a bloody civil war after a coup d’état in 2013. This conflict continues but has considerably decreased in intensity for three years, even if sections entire territories continue to escape central power

With AFP