Sat Mar 29 13:32:36 UTC 2025: ## UN Peacekeeper Killed in Ambush in Central African Republic
**BANGUI, Central African Republic (March 29, 2025)** – A Kenyan UN peacekeeper was killed Saturday in an ambush in the east of the Central African Republic, the UN confirmed. The attack occurred near the village of Tabant during a routine patrol by the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
MINUSCA spokesperson Florence Marchal strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “despicable attack on peacekeepers.” The UN’s Special Representative for the Central African Republic, Valentine Rugwabiza, echoed these sentiments.
Amadou Bi Djobdi, an official from the nearby town of Sémio, attributed the ambush to the A Zande Anikpigbe militia. He stated that such acts of violence are unacceptable and that perpetrators must face justice. The Central African Republic government also pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
The incident highlights the ongoing instability in the Central African Republic, a country grappling with poverty and conflict despite significant mineral wealth. Rebel groups have frequently operated with impunity, hindering mining efforts. The conflict, which began in 2013, has seen numerous peace agreements fail. While the Russia-backed Wagner Group has been credited with preventing rebel seizure of Bangui in 2021, its presence and training of militias, including the A Zande Anikpigbe, remains a controversial element in the ongoing struggle for peace. The Wagner group claims its training has sought to integrate militias into the national army, though allegations of atrocities committed by these groups persist.
First Piper 