DRC: UN secretary-general condemns killing of 14 UN peacekeepers, 5 Congolese air force members

The United Nations through its secretary-general Antonio Guterres has condemned the killing of 14 UN peacekeepers and five Congolese air force members in an attack by rebels of the ADF.

Reports say at least 53 peacekeepers were also injured in the attack in North Kivu on Thursday night- an incident described by the UN as the “worst attack in recent history”.

“I condemn this attack unequivocally,” Guterres said in a statement.
“These deliberate attacks against UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and constitute a war crime.

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“I call on the DRC authorities to investigate this incident and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. There must be no impunity for such assaults, here or elsewhere.”

Military sources say the fighting which lasted four hours took place at a base in Beni, North Kivu, of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).

The area has been repeatedly attacked by rebels of the ADF even as Maman Sidikou, the head of MONUSCO, said the mission “will take all actions to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable and brought to justice”.

 

 

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