UN condemns killing of peacekeeper in Central Africa

By Alpha Kamara

DAKAR, Senegal

The UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic on Friday condemned the recent killing of a Senegalese peacekeeper deployed in the country.

"The Senegalese Blue Helmet was attacked on Thursday night by unknown gunmen. He died a few hours later at the MINUSCA UN hospital in the capital, Bangui," according to a statement from the mission.

"MINUSCA denounces this despicable and unjustified act," it said, adding an investigation had been opened immediately to shed light "on this horrible incident and to determine the exact circumstances of this painful occurrence".

It also said "harming the life of a peacekeeper can be considered a war crime and everything will be put in place to find the perpetrators so that they can answer for their crimes before the law”.

The name of the peacekeeper has not been revealed in line with military procedures.

Senegal’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mankeur Ndiaye also condemned the act and urged the UN to investigate the incident immediately.

The peacekeeper's body will be brought to the country for burial by the weekend.