Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) on Saturday announced "with deep sorrow” an unfortunate incident where one of its soldiers serving in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), shot dead four RDF soldiers and injured eight others before he was engaged and killed.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning at around 05:45 hours in Bangui, at Rwanda Battalion Headquarters (RWABATT 2) located at 5th Arrondissement SOCATEL M’POKO.

The casualties, it is noted, were immediately evacuated to the peacekeepers’ Level two Hospital in Bangui. Four of the injured soldiers that needed to be operated had successful operations, and all the injured are not in critical condition.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the RDF troops engaged the assailant soldier and killed him in order to save the lives of other RDF peacekeepers.

"Investigations so far point toward terrorism to be the motive behind this deplorable act, as evidence so far reveals”, Brigadier General Joseph Nzabamwita, Defence and Military Spokesperson said in a statement.

"The RDF sends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire RDF fraternity.”

Over a year ago, the RDF deployed under a UN Security Council resolution, 850 servicemen and women in the CAR as part of the initial African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA).

Despite the latest unfortunate incident, Rwandan troops are widely hailed for a job well done in returning a semblance of peace and tranquillity to the country.

They, among others, succeeded in bringing calm in areas they control in Bangui and the AU Mission entrusted them with guarding strategic points in the city, a duty that was again given to them by MINUSCA when it replaced MISCA.

Civilians in CAR have previously said they feel safer in the company of Rwandan peacekeepers.