A Kenyan military officer was killed in an ambush while on a peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic on March 28. The UN Secretary-General condemned the attack, stating it could be considered a war crime, and called for justice for the fallen peacekeeper. The ongoing conflict in CAR has resulted in significant violence since 2012, exacerbated by sectarian tensions.

On March 28, a Kenyan military officer was killed during a peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR). This officer was the sole casualty in a brutal ambush that occurred while he was conducting a long-range patrol near the village of Tabane in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture. He had been deployed in February as a military observer, reflecting the ongoing dangers faced by personnel in conflict zones.

The United Nations (UN) released a statement from Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing profound condolences to the family of the killed peacekeeper and the Kenyan government. He emphasized that attacks on UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and urged CAR authorities to swiftly identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Since 2012, the CAR has faced intense internal conflict characterized by sectarian violence between predominantly Muslim and mostly Christian armed groups, leading to numerous deaths and widespread humanitarian crises. While a peace deal was signed in 2019, violence has escalated, further complicating stabilization efforts in the region.

Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for CAR, condemned the ambush, stressing the heinous nature of the attack on peacekeepers whose mission aims to safeguard civilians. She expressed deep condolences to Kenya and the victim’s family, asserting that such acts of violence would not deter the mission’s resolve in maintaining peace and stability in CAR.

The UN Security Council condemned the attack, reiterating that it might constitute war crimes and reminding all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law. The Council called on the CAR government to conduct a thorough investigation, punish those responsible, and keep troop-contributing countries informed of developments, as per Security Council resolutions.

This tragic incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by peacekeepers in conflict zones such as the Central African Republic, where violence and instability continue to threaten the safety of both civilians and military personnel. The international community, through the UN, remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing these issues and ensuring accountability for attacks on peacekeeping missions.

Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke

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