In the northeast of the Central African Republic, during a MINUSCA patrol near Sam Ouandja in Haute-Kotto, at least one blue helmet lost their life in an attack carried out by gunmen this Monday. The fallen peacekeeper was identified as a person of Rwandan origin. The incident occurred as MINUSCA has been expanding its footprint in the area following a previous assault, according to a statement from the mission. The UN force noted that the patrol responded swiftly to the assault, reinforcing the protection of civilians as the gunmen attempted to threaten the city and the surrounding region. The loss underscores the persistent danger faced by peacekeepers working to stabilize the country and safeguard local populations amid ongoing instability.
According to mission leadership, the Rwandan unit quickly neutralized several assailants, with three gunmen killed and the fourth captured in the ensuing confrontation. Valetine Rugwabiza, the head of MINUSCA, emphasized the strong and immediate reaction by the Rwandan troops, which helped repel the armed elements and secure the people of Sam Ouandja. Rugwabiza condemned the attack on the peacekeepers and reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to standing firm in its duty to shield civilians in coordination with Central African authorities.
Stressing the seriousness of the incident, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, voiced condolences to the families of the deceased and noted that the attack followed a rapid deployment of forces to respond to the city assault after the armed group fled the scene. The UN official reiterated the collective resolve to support peacekeeping operations that protect civilians and humanitarian workers in the Central African Republic.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the French Under-Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations, condemned the despicable assault on a MINUSCA patrol designed to safeguard civilians and humanitarian workers. He urged mission authorities to spare no effort in pursuing accountability and highlighted that such attacks target civilian life and peacekeepers alike. He also warned that deliberate attacks on UN personnel and humanitarian workers can be treated as war crimes with potential prosecution in international or domestic courts. The statements reflect a shared global stance that protecting civilians remains a non-negotiable objective of international peacekeeping efforts in the region.