Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

CAR

Violent demonstrations against MINUSCA in Kaga-Bandoro

Bangui, 10 April 2015 - On the morning of Friday 10 April 2015, a mob of approximately 300 to 400 people attacked the camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in Kaga-Bandoro, in the prefecture of Nana-Gribizi, 342 km from Bangui.

The United Nations peacekeepers tried to hold back the crowd who was attempting to break through the barrier of the camp's entrance by putting it on fire. In the course of this incident, demonstrators, carrying stones and knives, threw projectiles at MINUSCA soldiers, critically injuring several of them as a result. Faced with the magnitude of the attack, the UN peacekeepers reacted with warning shots.

MINUSCA deplores one death and several injuries on the side of the assailants.

This is the second attack against MINUSCA this week in Kaga Bandoro, a city where relations with the population have always been positive.

MINUSCA deeply regrets this incident and has decided to immediately open an investigation to determine the exact circumstances. The Hospital of the Mission also provided appropriate medical treatment to all of those injured during these altercations.

MINUSCA expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to those wounded. In this period of seasonal migration marked by communal tensions in the Prefecture of Nana Gribizi, MINUSCA wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the population in order to calm the situation.