The Central African Republic government on Wednesday, January 13, urged its citizens, especially those in the capital Bangui, to remain calm soon after government security forces and UN peacekeepers repulsed an attack by a rebel coalition.

A minister blamed elements of an armed group opposed to the peace process for the attacks in which a Rwandan peacekeeper was killed.

The attack was repulsed by the blue helmets, in conjunction with the Central African armed forces, the UN Mission said. Several rebels were killed while others were arrested as well as arms and munitions captured.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) strongly condemned the attack by the rebel coalition on its peacekeepers.

A statement by MINUSCA says the rebel coalition launched an attack on the peripheries of the Capital, Bangui, on Wednesday morning.

RDF remains ‘committed to protection of civilians’

The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) on Wednesday also issued a statement saying it is deeply saddened by the death of the Rwandan peacekeeper.

The RDF expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen peacekeeper, but noted that it will not waver in its mission of helping Central Africans see peace and stability.

"Rwandan peacekeepers remain committed to the protection of civilians within the mandate of MINUSCA, and the other peacekeeping missions under which our troops serve,” reads part of the statement.

Rwanda is one of the top troop contributors to the UN Mission which started in April 2014 to protect civilians in the country under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

The CAR government and UN forces are struggling to maintain peace in the landlocked country.

Kigali deployed "force protection troops” - trained to conduct special operations - to the country on December 20, 2020, under a bilateral agreement on defense.

Marie Noëlle Koyara, the CAR’s Minister of National Defence and Army Reconstruction, on December 3, told Rwandan journalists that by quickly agreeing to help, and sending troops to help the Central African Republic’s national army battle rebels, and save lives, Rwanda set a good example that other regional countries should follow.

Russia has also sent in troops, under a bilateral arrangement, to help the country’s security forces.

Attacks ‘can be considered as war crimes and prosecuted’

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the Central African Republic and Head of MINUSCA, Mankeur Ndiaye, extended his sincere condolences to the fallen peacekeeper’s family and to the contingent and the Rwandan government.

MINUSCA also strongly condemns the attacks by the anti-Balaka, UPC, 3R and MPC coalition armed groups and their political allies, notably former CAR President François Bozizé.

Rwandan peacekeepers mount guard at a polling station in Banguy last month. Photo: Courtesy.

"The Mission holds them responsible for the consequences of this violence on the civilian population and stresses that attacks against peacekeepers can be considered as war crimes and prosecuted,” read the MINUSCA statement.

In February 2019, Bangui signed an agreement with armed groups, committing to integrating fighters from some groups into new army units and their leaders into government.

Despite successful threats from a coalition of rebels fermenting trouble, general elections were held on December 27 to elect a new president and members of the National Assembly.

President Faustin-Archange Touadéra eventually won a second term according to results announced on January 4. Touadéra garnered 53.92 percent of votes - former Prime Minister Anicet Georges Dologuele, who came second, managed 21.01 percent - ruling out the possibility of a rerun, as the winner obtained an absolute majority of the votes.

But the rebels and their foreign backers, sources say, are hell bent on ensuring that the newly reelected leader and his government fail.