United Nations condemns killing of 8 peacekeepers

New York. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Antonio Guterres, has condemned the killing of seven Malawian and one Tanzanian peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday.

The peacekeepers were killed during joint operations by the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Monusco) and Congolese forces (FARDC) in Beni territory, North Kivu against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Initial reports indicate that ten additional peacekeepers were wounded, and another one is missing. Several FARDC soldiers and an unknown number of ADF fighters were also reportedly killed or wounded during the operations.

“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the families of the killed peacekeepers and wishes a prompt recovery to the wounded…” a statement issued yesterday by the UN office in Tanzania reads in part.

The statement recognised that the Malawian and Tanzanian contingents are operating in “exceptionally difficult environment to protect local populations against the attacks of the ADF and other armed groups.”

Meanwhile, the chief of Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) General Venance Mabeyo has said the killing of Tanzanian peacekeepers in DRC has obliged the army to improve its tactics.

He was speaking in Muheza District, Tanga Region yesterday after the closure of East African Community army exercises that brought together 1,500 soldiers.

“I offer my condolences to the families of all soldiers killed in the DR Congo. In our part, we will do whatever we can to ensure that our soldiers are well equipped and trained to meet challenges in the DR Congo,” General Mabeyo noted.