U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Tuesday's killing of a peacekeeper in the war-torn Central African Republic.
A statement from Ban's spokesman said former Muslim Seleka rebels confronted troops from the U.N. mission in the C.A.R. at a checkpoint in Batangafo after an outbreak of violence between the ex-Seleka and Christian militias knows as the anti-Balaka. The peacekeeper then went missing and was later found dead.
Ban called for "swift action to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice." U.N. envoy Parfait Onanga-Anyanga stressed that there is no military solution to the C.A.R.'s political problems.
The latest violence comes as the nation prepares for a series of important votes that were due to be held in October, but now are slated for December.
Officials said Tuesday presidential and legislative elections will take place December 27, and if necessary a second round of polls will come January 31.
On December 13, voters will consider a referendum on proposed changes to the constitution, including a clause that would limit future presidents to two five-year terms in office.
The international community has pushed officials to hold elections this year in hopes of restoring stability to the C.A.R.
The country has endured nearly three years of chaos and inter-religious violence since the mostly Muslim Seleka overthrew President Francois Bozize in March of 2013.
Killings by the Seleka triggered the rise of the mainly Christian anti-Balaka militias.
Under pressure, the Seleka handed power to a transitional government led by interim president Catherine Samba-Panza. The mandate of the government expires in January.
