DR Congo: Eight UN Peacekeepers injured in attack in the east, UN condemns the assault
At least eight United Nations peacekeepers serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were wounded in an assault that took place on Saturday in the eastern region of the country, according to reports from the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).
One of the injured eight peacekeepers is sustaining serious injury.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack in a strongly-worded statement issued by his spokesperson, emphasizing that it could amount to a war crime under international law.
Expressing his wishes for a swift recovery for the injured peacekeepers, he reiterated calls for all armed groups, Congolese and foreign fighters alike, to immediately cease hostilities and engage in the disarmament process.
Furthermore, the UN chief emphasized the necessity for M23 to withdraw entirely from the territory it has occupied and conform to the agreements outlined in the Luanda communiqué of November 2022, to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.
In a similar statement, Bintou Keita, the head of MONUSCO, denounced the attack, expressing deep concern over the safety of peacekeepers in the area.
The incident occurred amidst ongoing efforts by MONUSCO and the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) to tackle armed groups in the North Kivu region under Operation “Springbok.” This joint operation aims to combat various militant factions, including the M23 rebel movement.
Keita reiterated MONUSCO’s steadfast commitment to collaborate closely with Congolese defense and security forces to enhance both joint and independent patrols. These efforts are designed to safeguard civilian populations in the conflict-affected areas.
The UN Secretary-General and his Special Representative reaffirmed MONUSCO’s resolve to further implement its protection of civilians’ mandate from the Security Council and work alongside Congolese defense and security forces to reinforce joint and unilateral patrols to protect civilians.
