3 Tanzanian Peacekeepers Injured in Central African Republic

Three Tanzanian peacekeepers working with the UN mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) were injured, on Thursday, after their vehicle collided with an unexplained explosive device.

One of the soldiers was critically injured and had to be airlifted to Bouar for treatment before being flown to Bangui, the capital, according to MINUSCA.

When the event occurred, the 'blue helmets' were in the village of Batouri Bole in Mambéré-Kadé, in the southwest of the country.

It happened about 11:00 a.m. local time, when their convoy left Berbérati towards the Force's temporary military outposts in Gbambia and Amada-Gaza, around 100 kilometres northeast of Berbérati.

MINUSCA has harshly criticised armed groups' use of explosive devices in contested areas of CAR, which has already resulted in dozens of civilian deaths and injuries.

Mankeur Ndiaye, the Secretary-Special General's Representative and the commander of MINUSCA, wished the injured peacekeepers a swift recovery.

"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.

This is the third time that explosive devices have detonated beneath UN vehicles, killing MINUSCA personnel.

In November, 11 unarmed Egyptian blue helmets were injured in Bangui after a rogue attack by elements of the presidential guard on a vehicle from the mission.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres encouraged authorities to make every effort to investigate the "unacceptable attack" at the time.

More than 14,000 uniformed people work for MINUSCA, which has been in the nation since 2014, following fatal intercommunal fighting between predominantly Christian and mainly Muslim groups that destabilised CAR the previous year.

Although part of the nation remains under the control of armed groups, the government proclaimed a unilateral ceasefire in October, and good efforts have been taken this year to enhance democracy and the rule of law.