UN Peacekeepers from Morocco and Gabon Killed in Central African Republic Rebel Attack

"A Gabonese and a Moroccan were killed on Monday, 17 km from Bangassou (Mbomou prefecture), in southern CAR, following an ambush of their convoy by elements of the armed groups coalition," the Minusca announced in a statement.

According to Vladimir Monteiro, spokesperson for Minusca, the city of Bangassou, located 750 km east of the capital Bangui, has been "under the control of Minusca" since the rebels, in the night from Friday to Saturday, "abandoned the positions they had occupied (since January 3, editor’s note) and fled the city" after receiving an ultimatum from the UN.

To date, seven peacekeepers from the UN mission contingent have been killed. "Minusca has paid a heavy price with seven peacekeepers killed in the service of peace, since the launch of the coordinated and simultaneous attacks by the anti-Balaka, the 3R, the MPC and the UPC, allied with former president François Bozizé. But it remains committed to continuing its mandate to protect civilians and secure elections," assured Mankeur Ndiaye, UN Special Representative in the Central African Republic.