Attack on UN Base in Am Dafock
Fighters from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Central African Republic’s former Seleka rebels attacked a UN base near the Sudan border on Tuesday, wounding three Zambian peacekeepers. The dawn raid occurred in the town of Am Dafock, a strategic border point that regularly faces incursions from armed groups operating on both sides.
UN Condemns Possible War Crimes
The UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) strongly condemned the attack, stating that three Zambian peacekeepers were wounded, one of them seriously. Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, said the attacks on the blue helmets “may constitute war crimes under international law.”
Local Official Reports Casualties
Ramadan Abdelkader, the sub-prefect of Am Dafock, told AFP: “Former Seleka fighters and elements of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) coming from Sudan attacked the bases,” adding that 22 people had died. “We are requesting as many reinforcements as possible from the authorities,” he said, noting that those seriously wounded were being evacuated on UN flights for treatment.
Russian Allies Intervene
Abdelkader added that later “Russian allies” staged air attacks on the rebels, without specifying whether this intervention had made it possible to regain control of the town. The incident highlights the volatile security situation along the border, exacerbated by the war in Sudan since April 2023 and the presence of the RSF in frontier regions.
