UN Peace Keepers Killed In Central African Republic On Election Eve

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in African News December 26, 2020

Tensions between the government and rebel forces have continued to increase in the Central African Republic where three UN peacekeepers were recently killed. The UN said unidentified combatants carried out two attacks, leaving two other peacekeepers injured.

The group was stationed in CAR to quell violence ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections that are to take place on Sunday.

Current president, Faustin Archange Touadera has accused his predecessor Francois Bozize of fomenting a coup with rebel groups. Mr. Bozize, who is barred from running in the election and is under UN sanctions, has denied these allegations.

In a statement released on Friday, the UN said the deceased militants were from Burundi. Their deaths might constitute a war crime. The assaults against them took place in Dekoa, central CAR, and in the southern area of Bakouma.

Reports indicate 55,000 people have fled their homes in Central African Republic due to the escalation of violence. There has also been an increase in attacks on humanitarian groups operating in the country.

The Coalition of Patriots for Change, an alliance of the country’s most powerful rebel groups called off a three-day cease-fire on Friday. Their reason for calling it off was due to attacks on them by government forces.

Russia, however, is in alliance with president Touandera. Russia also sent 300 military instructors to CAR this week.

This comes following a request for help from the government, but Russia insists that they are not in the fight.

Check also;

This is not a Paywall, but Newslex Point's journalism consumes a lot of time, hard-work and money. That's why we're kindly requesting you to support us in anyway they can, for as little as $1 or more, you can support us .

Please use the button below to contribute to Newslex Point, Inc. using a credit card or via PayPal.