Swiss national, CAR soldier killed in attack

A Swiss national and a Central African Republic (CAR) soldier have been killed in an armed attack near the capital, Bangui, authorities said.

According to a senior military officer, the two men were ambushed by unidentified gunmen about 50 kilometres north of Bangui while conducting a mining survey. The Swiss national was in the country on an exploration mission and was accompanied by a non-commissioned officer from the Central African Armed Forces, who had been assigned to provide security.

Although the attack occurred on Thursday, officials confirmed the incident on Monday and said investigations were underway to identify those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding the killings.

Switzerland’s foreign ministry confirmed that one of its citizens had died in the attack but did not release further details, citing privacy considerations.

The Central African Republic remains one of Africa’s most fragile countries despite years of international peacekeeping efforts, and government attempts to restore stability. Armed groups continue to control parts of the country, frequently carrying out attacks on civilians, security personnel and foreign workers involved in mining and humanitarian operations.

The country possesses vast deposits of gold, diamonds, uranium, lithium and timber, making it an attractive destination for mining and exploration companies despite the persistent security risks. Authorities have not indicated whether the attack was directly linked to mining activities or whether the victims were specifically targeted.

SOURCE: AFP