A spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general said that three Burundi peacekeepers were killed and two others wounded in the Central African Republic in attacks by armed fighters on Friday
BANGUI, Central African Republic – Three Burundi peacekeepers were killed and two others wounded in the Central African Republic in attacks on Friday by armed fighters, said the spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks in Dekoua, Kemo Prefecture and Bakouma ahead of Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections, according to a statement from spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Attacks against peacekeepers can constitute a war crime, the statement said, calling on Central African Republic authorities to investigate “heinous attacks and bring perpetrators to justice quickly”.
The UN took over the city of Bambari earlier this week from the rebels who seized it on Tuesday.
The government attributes the unrest to former President François Bozize, who returned from exile a year ago and was barred from running for election. He was accused of allying himself with armed groups in an attempt to organize attacks and a coup. He denied.
Rwanda, which has peacekeepers in the country, and Russia have sent hundreds of soldiers to support the government as the rebels advance over the capital, Bangui.
The government and international bodies are calling for peace after a February 2019 agreement between the government and 14 rebel groups.