NEW YORK, 29 December, 2020, (TON): United Nations Security Council on Monday condemned Friday's attacks against the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

In a statement, the members of the Security Council condemned "in the strongest terms" the attacks against the UN mission in the Central African Republic (CAR), which resulted in three peacekeepers from Burundi killed and two others injured.

Unidentified "armed combatants" launched the attacks in Dekoa and near Sibut, both in Kemo prefecture, hours after a rebel coalition fighting the government called off a unilateral truce and reiterated calls for the suspension of a general election scheduled to take place on Sunday.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the peacekeepers killed, as well as to Burundi and to MINUSCA. They wished the injured a speedy recovery.

They also condemned "in the strongest terms" all attacks, provocations and incitement to violence against MINUSCA by armed groups and other perpetrators.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSCA and expressed their deep appreciation to MINUSCA's troop- and police-contributing countries.

The attacks came as voters in CAR geared up for presidential and legislative elections, deemed a key test for the country’s ability to recover stability after decades of political turmoil and armed conflict.