UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations on Monday announced the appointment of Brigadier-General (retired) Fernand Marcel Amoussou to lead an independent investigation into attacks against civilians by armed groups that occurred from May to August in the Central African Republic (CAR).
The investigation will look into attacks against civilians by armed groups that occurred in close proximity to a UN Mission (MINUSCA) presence in Haute-Kotto, Basse-Kotto, Mbomou, and Haut-Mbomou prefectures as well as the Mission's response to these incidents, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, at the daily news briefing.
The Peacekeeping Department is launching this special investigation in light of the recent deterioration of the security situation in the south-east of the country and with a view to improving the Mission's ability to prevent violence and protect civilians under imminent threat within its capabilities and areas of deployment.
The investigation will make recommendations to address any shortcomings, if applicable, and on the Mission's overall performance with regard to the protection of civilians, in the context of the Mission's mandate renewal, said Dujarric.
The investigation team will deploy to the CAR from November 14 to 28. A final report will then be presented to the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, the findings of which will be made public.
Amoussou was the Force Commander of the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) from 2006 to 2010. He was the Chief of General Defence Staff of the Benin armed forces from 2000 to 2005. He has worked with the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in the United States and is currently Director of the Institute for Security in Africa.
