Secretary-General Condemns Killing of Three Peacekeepers in Democratic Republic

 

of Congo, Calls on Government to Swiftly Bring Perpetrators to Justice

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is saddened by the deaths of three Indian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), who were killed early this morning following a surprise attack by a group of unidentified armed men on an operating base in Kirumba in the eastern province of North Kivu.  At least six additional United Nations military personnel were injured in the attack, three of them critically.

The Secretary-General conveys his sincere condolences to the Government of India and to the families of the three soldiers.  The Secretary-General condemns the assault and calls on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to launch an immediate investigation into this incident and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly identified and brought to justice.

The Secretary-General would like to take this opportunity to commend the men and women serving in MONUSCO in various capacities, for their efforts to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance and bring peace to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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For information media • not an official record