The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on Wednesday, January 13, strongly condemned an attack by a rebel coalition on its peacekeepers in which a Rwandan peacekeeper was killed. A statement by MINUSCA says the rebel coalition launched an attack on the peripheries of the Capital, Bangui, on Wednesday morning. The attack was repulsed by the blue helmets, in conjunction with the Central African armed forces, reads part of the statement. Several rebels, it is noted, were killed in a fire exchange while others were arrested as well as arms and munitions captured. Another peacekeeper is reportedly injured. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the Central African Republic and Head of MINUSCA, Mankeur Ndiaye, extended his condolences to the fallen peacekeepers family and to the contingent and the Rwandan government. MINUSCA also strongly condemns the attacks by the anti-Balaka, UPC, 3R and MPC coalition armed groups and their political allies, notably former CAR President François Bozizé. The Mission holds them responsible for the consequences of this violence on the civilian population and stresses that attacks against peacekeepers can be considered as war crimes and prosecuted. Rwanda is one of the top troop contributors to MINUSCA, which started in April 2014 to protect civilians in the country under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The government and UN forces have been struggling to maintain peace in the landlocked country. Marie Noëlle Koyara, the CARs Minister of National Defence and Army Reconstruction, on December 3, told Rwandan journalists that by quickly agreeing to help, and sending troops to help the Central African Republics national army battle rebels, and save lives, Rwanda set a good example that other regional countries should follow. Kigali deployed force protection troops - trained to conduct special operations - to the country on December 20, 2020, under a bilateral agreement on defence. In February 2019, Bangui signed an agreement with several armed groups that control large swathes of the country, committing to integrating fighters from some groups into new army units and their leaders into government. Despite unsuccessful threats from a coalition of rebels fermenting trouble, general elections were held on December 27 to elect a new president and members of the National Assembly.
