Instructions allow MINUSCA forces to open fire against FACA forces
A leaked confidential document of the MINUSCA mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) revealed serious information that their troops were given the green light to open fire against government forces FACA.
The contents of the classified document that could severely damage the UN’s mission in CAR and could hasten its exit from the Central African Republic before its mission is completed revealed new instructions calling on peacekeepers to shoot at forces that block the passage of their convoys, even if they are the Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA).
While MINUSCA has not published any statement outlining the components of this document, its answer came through spokesperson Florence Marchal when asked directly about the document. Florence Marchal simply said that it is not customary for the UN to comment on confidential internal documents, let alone speculate about them.
“Concerning your second question, first of all, it is customary at the United Nations not to comment on confidential internal documents. So we don’t comment on interpretations or speculations about documents that are internal and confidential”. Avoiding a straightforward answer to the question, the MINUSCA spokesperson went on to say that “But you give me the opportunity to remind you that we are here in the Central African Republic, at the invitation of the country’s authorities, and that MINUSCA is the main partner of the Central African Armed Forces, the FACA, in restoring peace and security, with the shared objective of protecting civilian populations”.
The response of the MINUSCA spokesperson has raised the ire of political experts and those who follow CAR affairs. The failure to give any explanation or deny the existence of such a dangerous document that contains instructions for MINUSCA to prepare to open fire on the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and friendly forces.
The response drew the outrage of many as Florence Marshall said that MINUSCA is the main partner of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA), which is an absolute fabrication as there is ample evidence that MINUSCA is assisting the militants that the FACA is fighting.
The truth is that without MINUSCA’s support for the country’s armed groups, terrorism in the Central African Republic would have ended quite some time ago.
It is not known what the Central African Republic government’s response to this dangerous document will be, or how far the MINUSCA forces might go to open fire against members of the Central African Republic army within the country and what the consequences might be.