Five United Nations police officers from the Republic of the Congo have died after their armored personnel carrier crashed into a river in the Central African Republic.
The deadly accident reportedly happened Tuesday when the vehicle, part of a five-car MINUSCA convoy, veered off course and plunged into the Ombella M’poko River outside Bangui before reaching a bridge. The convoy had been returning from the capital after collecting supplies, according to MINUSCA spokesperson Florence Marshall.
A search and recovery effort is still underway to retrieve the bodies of the victims.
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The tragedy highlights ongoing challenges in the Central African Republic, a nation rich in gold and diamonds yet plagued by instability and armed groups. Rebel factions continue to disrupt mining operations and governance, despite years of international intervention.
The country has also become a base for Russia-linked Wagner Group mercenaries, who arrived under the guise of helping combat insurgents. Beyond battlefield operations, Wagner fighters have been tasked with protecting President Faustin Archange Touadera, backing him through a 2023 constitutional referendum that strengthened his hold on power.
Both U.N. peacekeepers and Wagner operatives have faced accusations of human rights abuses in the Central African Republic, fueling criticism of the foreign presence in the conflict-ridden state.
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