At the time of the incident, the peacekeepers were on patrol, providing a protective presence in the vicinity of Sam-Ouandja, located in the Haute Kotto Prefecture. In response to the attack, the peacekeepers engaged in defensive action, where they killed three attackers and captured one.

They had been deployed in the area on July 5th of this year, following a previous attack that resulted in the loss of civilian lives.

Valentine Rugwabiza, the head of the UN mission, strongly condemned the attack and assured that peacekeepers would maintain their presence in Sam-Ouandja. The mission is also working closely with local authorities to facilitate the deployment of national forces to the area.

MINUSCA has called upon the authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) to make every possible effort to identify the attackers involved in the incident so they can be brought to justice.

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, expressed profound condolences to the fallen peacekeeper’s family, colleagues, as well as the people and government of Rwanda.

The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) also mourned the loss of the Rwandan peacekeeper and reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing protection of civilians.

UN data indicates that in 2022 alone, a total of 32 troops and police officers from various UN peacekeeping missions lost their lives across the globe, including four in the Central African Republic.

A Rwandan peacekeeper serving under MINUSCA has died after an attack orchestrated by armed elements.