UN envoy urges ‘substantial increase’ in peacekeepers in Central African Republic — BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC – DECEMBER 27: Rwandan peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) take measures as voting for Presidential elections is underway in Bangui, Central African Republic on December 27, 2020. (Photo by Nacer Talel/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The UN envoy to the Central African Republic (CAR), Mankeur Ndiaye, on Thursday called on the Security Council for a “substantial increase” in peacekeeping operations in the country after recent deadly attacks by armed groups.

The increase must be accompanied by “greater mobility” by the peacekeepers, he added, also referring to “great desertion” by the Central African security forces since December.

Earlier this month, a UN peacekeeper from Burundi was killed in the country in an ambush by rebel forces. He was the fifth such soldier kill in combat since the latest cycle began late last year.

Landlocked CAR is one of the world’s poorest nations and has seen a string of coups and wars since it gained independence from France in 1960.