UNITED NATIONS, October 10 (RIA Novosti) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "appalled" by a deadly attack on a UN convoy in the Central African Republic (CAR), which killed one peacekeeper and hurt eight.
"Such acts against those who are working towards peace and security in the Central African Republic are entirely unacceptable. The perpetrators of the violence, which has also resulted in a number of civilians killed since the clashes in the capital began on October 7, must also be brought to justice," he said in a statement.
According to the UN statement, the assault was carried out by unknown perpetrators who ambushed a UN convoy on Thursday in PK11 in Bangui.
Ban said "this is the first death of a United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic peacekeeper since the transfer of authority from the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic on September 15."
Before September 15, peacekeeping in CAR was done by the African MISCA mission, which was largely "re-hatted" into the UN force.
The UN said Ban "condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing and wounding of UN peacekeepers."
On the political front, the UN said Ban "calls on all actors to refrain from further violence.
He calls upon the Transitional Authority to take all necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement signed in Brazzaville on July 23 as a matter of priority and reminds the parties of their commitments under the agreement.
He underscores that a comprehensive political solution is the only way to successfully complete the country's transition and bring sustainable peace and stability to the Central African Republic."
Violence in the African republic escalated in December 2013, when clashes between Islamist militants from Seleka rebel group and Christian activists confronting them swept Bangui. According to UN estimates, up to one million people were forced to flee their homes with over a thousand being killed since the conflict started.
