A Zambian UN peacekeeper was killed and another injured in a deadly ambush in the Central African Republic, prompting UN chief António Guterres to condemn the attack as a potential war crime and urge swift justice.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned a deadly ambush that claimed the life of a Zambian peacekeeper and left another wounded in the Central African Republic (CAR). The attack occurred near the village of Am-Sissia, along the volatile Birao–Am Dafock axis in the country's northeastern Vakaga Prefecture, close to the border with conflict-ridden Sudan.

According to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the peacekeepers were on a patrol when they came under fire from unidentified armed elements. The assault is the third fatal attack on MINUSCA personnel in 2025 alone.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Guterres expressed deep sorrow over the loss and reiterated the UN’s unwavering support for the peacekeeping mission. He stressed that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may amount to war crimes under international law and urged the CAR authorities to act swiftly to identify and prosecute those responsible.

“This senseless violence against peacekeepers, who risk their lives daily in pursuit of stability and peace, is unacceptable,” Guterres said. “The perpetrators must be brought to justice without delay.”

The Secretary-General extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased peacekeeper, the Government of Zambia, and the entire MINUSCA mission. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured soldier.

Deployed since 2014, MINUSCA was established to help stabilise CAR, a nation that has been gripped by armed conflict, political turmoil, and humanitarian crises for over a decade. The mission has frequently faced threats from armed groups operating in the region, often targeting peacekeepers and humanitarian workers.

To date, nearly 150 peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving under the MINUSCA banner, making it one of the most dangerous UN peacekeeping deployments in the world.

Despite the ongoing risks, the UN mission continues to support efforts toward lasting peace, reconciliation, and the protection of civilians in one of Africa’s most fragile states.