A “deliberate attack” on United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo constitutes a “war crime” and “is the worst attack … in the organization’s recent history,” the UN secretary general said Friday.
At least 12 UN peacekeepers were killed and at least 40 others were injured, four of them critically, in the attack in the eastern province of North Kivu, Antonio Guterres said, citing early reports. At least five members of Congo’s armed forces also were slain, he said.
The UN peacekeepers all were Tanzanians, Guterres said. Earlier, two UN sources told CNN 14 peacekeepers had been killed.
“I condemn this attack unequivocally,” he said. “These deliberate attacks against UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and constitute a war crime. 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 anywhere else.”
The largest of the UN’s current 15 peacekeeping missions is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 22,000 personnel.
The eastern part of Congo has been embroiled in violence since 1994, when Hutu forces crossed the border from Rwanda fearing reprisals following the genocide there.
“This is the worst attack on UN peacekeepers in the organization’s recent history,” Guterres added. “It is another indication of the enormous sacrifices made by troop contributing countries in the service of global peace. These brave women and men are putting their lives on the line every day across the world to serve peace and to protect civilians.”
