On 16 Jan 2024, the UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned the killing on 15 Jan 2024 of Pte Emmanuel Steve Atebele (Cameroon) and the wounding of five of his comrades while they were on patrol in Mbindale, 45 Kms northest of the town of Paoua in the Central African Republic with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The patrol came under small arms fire after their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed, as well as to Cameroon. They also expressed their condolences to the United Nations. They wished a speedy and full recovery to the peacekeepers injured.
The Security Council reiterated that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law. They called on the Government of the Central African Republic to swiftly investigate this attack with the support of MINUSCA.
The UN mission in the Central African Republic started in 2014 and it has over 15,000 military, police and civilian personnel.
We extend condolence to the families of the dead soldier and his wounded comrades.
