MINUSCA peacekeepers on patrol in Central African Republic. Photo MINUSCA/Herve Cyriauqe Serefi

Three Tanzanian peacekeepers  serving on the United Nations’ mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) were injured on Thursday, when their vehicle struck an unidentified explosive device.  

One of the soldiers was seriously hurt, and needed to be evacuated to Bouar for treatment and then on to the capital, Bangui, MINUSCA informed. 

The ‘blue helmets’ were in the village of Batouri Bole, in Mambéré-Kadéï, in the southwest of the country, when the incident happened.  

It took place around 11:00 a.m., local time, as their convoy left the town of Berbérati for the Force's temporary military outposts in Gbambia and Amada-Gaza, which are located around 100 kilometers northeast of Berbérati. 

Fulfilling the mandate 

MINUSCA has strongly condemned the use of explosive devices by armed groups in contested areas of CAR, which have already caused dozens of deaths and injuries among the civilian population. 

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of MINUSCA, Mankeur Ndiaye, wished a speedy recovery to the wounded peacekeepers. 

"Despite the difficult conditions our peacekeepers face on the ground, aggravated by the appearance of improvised explosive devices, MINUSCA remains resolutely determined to carry out its mandate for peace and stability," he said. 

Series of attacks 

This is the third time that MINUSCA peacekeepers have fallen victim to explosive devices detonating beneath UN vehicles. 

Back in November, a rogue attack by elements of the presidential guard against a vehicle from the mission, left ten unarmed Egyptian blue helmets injured in Bangui.  

At the time, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, urged authorities to spare no effort in investigating the “unacceptable attack.”  

More than 14,000 uniformed personnel serve with MINUSCA, which has been in the country since 2014, following the eruption the previous year of deadly inter-communal violence between mainly Christian and mainly Muslim militias, which destabilized CAR. 

The Government declared a unilateral ceasefire in October, and although much of the country remains in the grip of armed groups, positive steps have been made this year to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. - United Nations

Veteran South Sudan politician and leader of the guerilla movement, Anyanya one, Joseph Lagu speaking to the media at the presidency. Photo via presidency

JUBA – South Sudan’s veteran politician and leader of the guerilla movement, Anyanya one, Joseph Lagu has called on his country’s political leaders to embrace peace and shun acts that can lead to the disintegration of African youngest nation.

Lagu made this call following his meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit at state house on Tuesday.

“God bless him (Salva Kiir) God bless the Country he is leading and God bless our neighbor and keep us friendly. No war amongst us and with our neighbors. Peace has come and it will stay now and forever,” Lagu said on Tuesday.

Lagu applauded President Salva Kiir for fostering development in the country.

“I am very happy to come and see the President of our country, chat with him, and thanks to him for all that he has been doing to promote the affairs of our beloved country South Sudan,” he said.

The Former Vice President of Sudan urged the government to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation with neighboring Sudan.

“I think, hope, and pray that our President Salva Kiir will live much longer and promote the affairs of his people and the nation as well as be friendly with our neighbors all around starting with Sudan, Egypt, and the rest of African countries,” he said.

He stressed the need to promote peaceful coexistence and stability to enhance sustainable development in the country.

“We are happy that he (President Kiir) is leading the people very perfectly well and when I return from Europe and saw the country, I could not realize that this was Juba we had seen before, it has completely changed starting from airport, it seems to be different country altogether,” he said. - Sudans Post

Photo WAM