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Guterres strongly condemns attack on peacekeepers in DR Congo that killed 3, amid protests – Global Affairs

According to news reports, at least 15 people have died overall in the second day of protests in the resilient North Kivu region, which began on Monday, with protesters accusing the United Nations of not doing enough. to prevent a proliferation of deadly attacks by armed groups, some of which have been active in the region for decades.

Increased violence

According to the UN refugee agency, millions have been displaced in recent years, with 97 civilians killed just last month in attacks in the eastern DRC, including kidnapping, looting and burning. home, according to the UN refugee agency. UNHCR.

Several settlements for internally displaced families have been hit with more than 160,000 displaced after a resurgence of the brutal M23 rebel group in North Kivu.

In addition to the United Nations personnel who died in the riots, five civilians were killed in Goma, with about 50 others injured and seven dead during the Butembo protests.

“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers, as well as to the Government and people of India and Morocco,” said a statement from Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq. launched on Wednesday night in New York. “He wished the injured peacekeeper a speedy recovery.”

Multiple attacks

Guterres condemned the numerous attacks on UN bases across the region starting Monday, “in which individuals and groups forcibly entered the bases and engaged in looting.” and destroy UN property, and loot and set fire to UN residences. Staff.”

In a tweet, MONUSCO said on Wednesday that protesters had “brutally looted weapons” from Congolese police and fired on peacekeepers.

The UN chief said he regretted the loss of life among the protesters, and confirmed MONUSCO’s commitment to work with the Congolese Government to fully investigate the incidents.

Possible war crimes

He reiterated the Status of Force agreement between the UN and the Congolese authorities, which “ensures the inviolability of UN facilities. He stressed that any attack on UN peacekeepers could constitute a war crime and called on the Congolese authorities to investigate these incidents and promptly bring those to justice. responsible person to justice. “

The Secretary-General welcomed a statement condemning the violence issued by a Government Spokesperson on Monday, which also indicated that prosecutions were imminent.

“The Secretary-General reaffirms the United Nations’ strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Haq said, adding that the head of state MONUSCO and the mission in general, “will continue to support the Government and people of the Congo in their efforts to bring peace and stability to the east of the country”.

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