CAR: Four UN peacekeepers killed in May 8 attack

Event

United Nations (UN) officials reported that on Monday, May 8, four UN peacekeepers from Cambodia and Morocco were killed and eight were injured in an attack by anti-Balaka elements on a convoy near Yogofongo village (near Bangassou, Mbomou prefecture). One peacekeeper is reportedly still missing as of early May 10. Eight anti-Balaka fighters were killed in the clash.

Context

CAR has been plagued by conflict since March 2013, when the majority-Muslim Seleka rebels seized power, triggering reprisals by Christian anti-Balaka militias. The two groups have been involved in violent clashes for the past four years, throwing the country into chaos. Although the February 2016 election of President Faustin Archange Touadéra marked the first stage of the post-crisis transition after years of sectarian conflict in the Central African Republic, the situation remains volatile throughout the country. While mass killings have ceased and the French Sangaris operation ended at the end of October 2016, various armed groups continue to operate in the country.

With more than 10,000 soldiers and policemen, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) is tasked with maintaining order in CAR.

Advice

Many Western governments advise against travel to the country due to these and other security concerns. Travel should only be considered with proper security protocols in place.