The United Nations Secretary-General’s spokesman says three peacekeepers from Burundi have been killed and two others injured in the Central African Republic in Friday’s attacks by armed fighters.
BANGUI, Central African Republic – Three peacekeepers from Burundi were killed and two others injured in the Central African Republic in Friday’s attacks by armed fighters, the spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General said.
Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks in Dekoua, Kemo Prefecture and Bakouma ahead of Sunday’s presidential and parliamentary elections, according to a statement by spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Attacks on peacekeepers could be a war crime, the statement said, calling on authorities in the Central African Republic to “investigate the horrific attacks and bring the perpetrators quickly to justice.”
Earlier this week, the UN recaptured the city of Bambari from rebels who had taken it on Tuesday.
The government blames the unrest on former President Francois Bozize, who returned from exile a year ago and has been blocked from taking part in the elections. He is accused of joining armed groups in an attempt to carry out attacks and a coup d’état. He has denied it.
Rwanda, which has peacekeepers in the country, and Russia have sent hundreds of troops to support the government as rebels advance to the capital, Bangui.
The government and international agencies are calling for peace following an agreement in February 2019 between the government and 14 rebel groups.