In a statement released by his Deputy Spokesperson, Secretary General António Guterres said that the attack, attributed to the Coopérative pour le dévelopement du Congo (CODECO), was carried out with troops from the UN mission. MONUSCOin Bali, Djugu territory, in Ituri province.
“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper, as well as to the Government and people of Nepal,” the statement added. Attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. ”
Mr. Guterres called on the Congolese authorities to investigate the incident and “quickly bring those responsible to justice“.
He said the UN will continue to support the Government and people of the Congo through its 18,000-member MONUSCO mission, in its efforts to bring peace and stability to the east of the country.
Security Council concerned about increase in attacks
Members of Security Council also quickly condemned Tuesday’s attack, expressing its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and Nepal, as well as the United Nations.
“The members of the Security Council have condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MONUSCO. They stressed that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers could constitute a war crime under international law. Members of the Security Council urges Congolese authorities to promptly investigate this attack and to bring perpetrators to justice, and to keep the relevant military-contributing country informed of progress. “
Council also expressed concern “at the increase in activities of armed groups in the eastern provinces”.”, and again, condemning all armed groups operating in the country. They called on “all actors” to put an end to violence and violations and abuses of international human rights and international humanitarian law.
The ambassadors stressed the importance of MONUSCO “having the necessary capacity to fulfill its mission and promote, including taking additional measures where appropriate, the safety and security of its force” United Nations peacekeeping force and its activities, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions”.
Helicopter incident
Just last week, a helicopter carrying our reconnaissance troops for MONUSCO, crashed east of the DRC, killing 8 UN peacekeepers and observers, 6 from Pakistan, one Russian and a Serb.
Some reports cite a news report from the Congolese military, accusing an armed group of shooting down the helicopter.
They reported on movements to relocate communities, following armed attacks, to coordinate humanitarian assistance, according to news reports.
Last week, the UN said it was too early to determine the exact cause of the crash in North Kivu, but confirmed that there had been clashes in the days before the incident, between the M23 militia and the Congolese army on land. .
