"Two peacekeepers - one from Gabon and one from Morocco - were killed 17 kilometers from the city of Bangassou, capital of the Mbomou prefecture, after their convoy was ambushed by members of the UPC and anti-Balaka armed groups in southern Central African Republic (CAR)," the UN said in a statement.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, Mankeur Ndiaye, strongly condemned the attack, which he described as "cowardly".
In a statement issued the same day of the attack, Ndiaye, who also heads the MINUSCA, said the UN mission "will work with the Central African authorities to ensure that the perpetrators and accomplices of these war crimes are arrested and held accountable for their acts."
The Special Representative paid tribute to the fallen peacekeepers and offered his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Gabonese and Moroccan contingents and their governments.
Since December 19, the Central African Republic has been the scene of repeated attacks by armed groups that challenge the authority of the Central African government and the holding of elections.
MINUSCA "has paid a heavy price" in the service of peace, since anti-Balaka, 3R, MPC and Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) armed groups – allies of former president François Bozizé – launched coordinated and simultaneous attacks.
In spite of the challenges, the UN Mission "remains committed to pursuing its mandate of protecting civilian populations and securing elections," he added.
Last week two peacekeepers - one from Rwanda and one from Burundi - were killed in two separate attacks on the UN mission.
The MINUSCA continues its operations to secure Bangassou, situated about 750 kilometers from Bangui, after having retaken the city from armed groups on Friday.
"Robust patrols are currently being carried out in the city and its surroundings. The security situation is calm and residents are starting to return to their homes," according to the Mission.
"However, [our] forces remain on alert to prevent any action by armed groups targeting the civilian population, State authority, and peacekeepers or the return of rebels to Bangassou," it added.