Tribute to UN Peacekeepers #bangladesh #burundi #cameroon #centralafricanrepublic

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) paid tribute to Bangladesh, Burundi, and Cameroon's peacekeepers who recently lost their lives in the line of duty.

A memorial event held at the Mission's headquarters in Bangui. The Special Representative to the United Nations Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and head of MINUSCA, Mankeur Ndiaye recalled that the five brave officers died "so that the flame of hope and peace burns in the Central African land."

He adds that they sacrificed their lives so that "the Central African population could live in security and dignity. They also had the opportunity to exercise their civic duty to vote in a dangerous, volatile context, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the economic and health fragility that still strikes the Central African Republic".

The three Burundian peacekeepers were killed in the line of duty while protecting civilians against an attack by armed groups in Dekoa on Christmas Day, on the eve of the Presidential and Legislative elections in the Central African Republic.
A Cameroonian peacekeeper was also killed in a tragic traffic accident during a routine mission escort, while a Bangladeshi blue helmet succumbed to a short illness.