Attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes, UN warns

The UN Security Council has warned that it may tag attacks on peacekeepers as war crime. The 15-Member council gave the warning in a statement in New York while reacting to the attack against a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic . The peacekeepers were said to be travelling from Damara to Ngerengou (Ombella-Mpoko prefecture), when they were attacked. The UN says one peacekeeper from Burundi was killed and another was injured. Council reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law. They called on the Central African Republic authorities to investigate the MINUSCA attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. Council condoles with the families of the killed and injured peacekeepers and to the Burundi Government as well as the Transitional Authorities and the people of the Central African Republic. They stressed that those responsible for the attack shall be held accountable. Members reiterated their full support for MINUSCA to assist the Central African Republic Transitional Authorities in protecting people as enshrined in the 2015 Security Council Resolution