RCA: the four French soldiers from Minusca released, the case closed without further action

Minusca blue helmets.

Here, a patrol in the PK12 district of the capital Bangui, January 13, 2020 (Illustration photo).

AFP - FLORENT VERGNES

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The four French Minusca soldiers arrested on Monday were released on Thursday, February 24.

They had been arrested at Bangui airport by the gendarmerie when they had just escorted the mission's chief of staff to his flight.

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With our correspondent in Bangui

,

Given the agreement that binds the Central African Republic to Minusca,

considered the procedure inappropriate and decided to close the case without further action.

After 72 hours in detention, the four French soldiers of the UN force are now free.

They returned to their quarters after a quick medical check.

This release came after intense negotiations, first led by the Minusca.

The Force Commander and the Deputy Special Representative met with President Touadera, initially unsuccessfully.

The French Embassy in Bangui was also following this file closely.

Finally, it was the Secretary General of the United Nations himself, Antonio Guterres, who took the floor to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the four men, under the terms of the headquarters agreement which authorizes and establishes the working conditions. of Minusca.

This agreement is more and more regularly abused on the ground by the Central African army and its Russian allies, according to the United Nations.

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• Central African Republic

• Minusca