A MINUSCA base attacked by ex-Seleka. Freed Hostages (V2)
(B2) The temporary base of the United Nations force in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), in Tagbara, was violently attacked by anti-Balaka “on the night of April 2 to 3, at 5 a.m., announces the minusca in a statement posted on its website. Tagbara is a village located 60 km northeast of Bambari (in the center of the country).
A Mauritanian peacekeeper killed, 11 others injured
The blue helmets of the Mauritanian contingent have " retaliated ". The exchange of fire lasted many hours ". In the end, a peacekeeper died (Nouh ould Mbarek Vall according to a communicated of the Mauritanian Ministry of Defence). 11 others were injured and more than 22 anti-Balaka aggressors were killed ". Following this attack, MINUSCA deployed reinforcements to Tagbara and was able to evacuate the body of the blue helmet killed and wounded to Bangui and Bria.
A hostage-taking by ex-Selekas
In the evening preceding these events, on Monday April 2 at 19:30 p.m., elements of the temporary base of the MINUSCA Force in Tagbara were informed that the UPC (Union for Peace in the Central African Republic, former -Seleka) held 23 people (including 13 women, 7 men and 3 children). MINUSCA has “ peacefully recovered these people, mainly civilians, whom it then accommodated at its temporary base for the night, in order to guarantee their safety ».
A massacre of 21 civilians with knives
On Tuesday 3 April, in the morning, MINUSCA discovered the dead bodies of 21 civilians (13 men, 4 women and 4 children) near a church in Tagbara. According to initial findings, traditional weapons were used. " Nothing could justify such acts which can be considered as war crimes. An investigation will be carried out in order to leave no room for impunity. we underline from the side of the UN.
Another action in the south-east of the country
In addition, Moroccan peacekeepers from MINUSCA carried out a joint operation in the east of the country on Saturday 31 March morning in the village of Koumbou, near the town of Obo (located in the south-east of the country, near the Uganda and South Sudan), in order to free several Central Africans, taken hostage during an attack by the Ugandan rebellion of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). 15 people have been released, announced Monday, April 2, in Bangui, government spokesman Ange Maxime Kazagui.
Fifteen hostages freed by Moroccan blue helmets
« The elements of the LRA [had] taken a certain number of inhabitants hostage, and left with them in the bush. The FACA and elements of the Moroccan contingent of MINUSCA decided together to launch a pursuit. This pursuit made it possible to find the traces of the hostages and their captors. After exchanges of fire with the attackers, our joint forces were able, in their response, to free fifteen hostages and bring them back to their village of Koumbou. “, he specified according to a notes disseminated by MINUSCA.
(NGV)
(photo credit: MINUSCA March 2018 / B2 Archives)
