UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday strongly condemned the attack on a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic in Bangui in which one Pakistani peacekeeper was killed and several other peacekeepers from Pakistan and Bangladesh were severely injured.
“The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed and the families of those injured and to the governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as to the Transitional Authorities and the people of the Central African Republic, and to MINUSCA,” a statement issued by the 15-member body said. The Council also strongly condemned all attacks and provocations against MINUSCA by armed groups, underlining that such actions might constitute a war crime and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.  The statement called on the Central African authorities to condemn the attack against MINUSCA and to swiftly investigate, with the assistance of MINUSCA, this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Council members stressed that those responsible for the attack shall be held accountable, while voicing their concern about the upsurge of violence over the recent days in Bangui and called for an end to such violence.
They strongly condemned all attacks against civilians and acts of violence between communities, according to the statement. They reiterated their support for President of the Transition Samba-Panza and the Transitional Authorities and their call on all armed groups in the Central African Republic to immediately and fully implement the agreement for Cessation of Hostilities and Violence signed on July 23rd in Brazzaville, and lay down their arms. They underlined that an inclusive dialogue between all parties is the only way towards reconciliation and lasting peace.   Ban, the UN chief, also condemned “in the strongest terms” the killing of the Pakistani peacekeeper, whose name has not yet been given, and wounding of other peacekeepers. “Such acts against those who are working towards peace and security in the Central African Republic are entirely unacceptable,” the secretary-general said.
 “The perpetrators of the violence, which has also resulted in a number of civilians killed since the clashes in the capital began on 7 October, must also be brought to justice.”