UN Peacekeeper Killed In Central African Republic

A United Nations peacekeeper from Zambia was killed in the Central African Republic (CAR) during an ambush by suspected Sudanese armed groups, the UN confirmed on Tuesday. The attack occurred on Friday near CAR’s northern border with Sudan, a volatile region increasingly marked by cross-border violence and the presence of armed militias.

According to a statement from the UN peacekeeping mission in CAR (MINUSCA), the incident also left another peacekeeper injured and currently receiving medical treatment. The fallen peacekeeper was a member of the Zambian military contingent serving under MINUSCA, which is tasked with helping to stabilize one of Africa’s most fragile states.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the increasing number of attacks against peacekeepers in the Central African Republic,” said the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, echoing growing international anxiety over the deteriorating security environment in the region.

Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs also condemned the attack and called for accountability and justice for those responsible.

This marks the third attack on UN peacekeepers in CAR in 2025 alone, underscoring the persistent instability in a country gripped by violence since 2013. The conflict was triggered when mostly Muslim rebels ousted President François Bozizé, sparking waves of inter-communal violence and plunging the nation into prolonged turmoil.

A peace agreement signed in 2019 offered a brief window of hope, but six of the 14 signatory armed groups later pulled out, reigniting tensions and complicating the UN’s peacekeeping mission. Armed groups continue to clash with government forces and each other, frequently targeting international personnel and humanitarian workers.

CAR was also one of the first African nations to formally engage Russia-backed paramilitary forces, who were brought in to support the government and fight insurgent groups. While the presence of these forces was meant to bolster state security, they have been accused of human rights abuses and are believed by some analysts to be fueling further conflict rather than resolving it.

As the UN and regional leaders call for restraint and accountability, Friday’s deadly attack highlights the risks faced by peacekeepers working in high-conflict zones and raises urgent questions about the future of international security efforts in CAR.