A spokesman for the UN secretary-general says three Burundian peacekeepers have been killed and two more injured in the Central African Republic in Friday attacks by armed fighters.
BANGUI, Central African Republic – Three Burundian peacekeepers were killed and two wounded in the Central African Republic in attacks by armed fighters on Friday, a UN Secretary-General’s spokesman said.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks on Dekoua, Kemo and Bakouma prefecture ahead of Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections, according to a statement from spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Attacks on peacekeepers may constitute a war crime, according to the statement, which called on the Central African Republic authorities to investigate the “hateful attacks and quickly bring the perpetrators to justice”.
The UN retook the city of Bambari earlier this week from rebels who had seized it on Tuesday.
The government blames the unrest on former President Francois Bozize, who returned from exile a year ago and has no access to the election. He has been accused of joining armed groups in an attempted attack and coup. He has denied it.
Rwanda, which has peacekeepers in the country, and Russia have sent hundreds of troops to support the government as the rebels advance on the capital, Bangui.
The government and international agencies are calling for peace following a February 2019 agreement between the government and 14 rebel groups.