Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – The Senegalese military is mourning the loss of a soldier serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) following a fatal road accident on Friday, January 16, 2026.
According to a statement released by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (DIRPA), the incident occurred near the village of Yenga, located approximately 22 kilometers from Bouar in the northwestern region of the Central African Republic (CAR).
How the Incident happened
The accident involved a vehicle from the 4th Senegalese Rapid Intervention Detachment while it was conducting a liaison patrol. The military confirmed that one soldier died on the spot, while seven others sustained injuries. Among the survivors, five are reported to be in serious condition.
The 180-man detachment has been deployed in the volatile northwest of the CAR since May 31, 2025. As a rapid reaction force, their primary mandate involves conducting operations alongside local forces to protect civilian populations.
Presidential Tribute
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye expressed “profound sadness” upon hearing the news, praising the fallen soldier for his ultimate sacrifice in the name of international peace.
“I bow before the memory of this soldier who fell in service, in the name of peace and the protection of civilian populations,” President Faye stated. “I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones, and to the entirety of the Senegalese Armed Forces.”
The President also extended the nation’s solidarity to the wounded, wishing them a “prompt and full recovery” and acknowledging the courage and professionalism of the troops stationed abroad.
Senegal’s Role in Regional Security
Senegal remains one of the largest contributors of personnel to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa. This tragic event highlights the ongoing risks faced by West African troops deployed in conflict zones to maintain regional stability and human dignity.
