Secretary-General Saddened by Death of Tanzanian Peacekeeper for United Nations

Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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

The Secretary-General is saddened by the death of a Tanzanian peacekeeper who had been wounded during clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in late August.  The peacekeeper was wounded when the M23 (23 March Movement) directed artillery fire on a United Nations position close to Kibati heights, 15 kilometres north of Goma.  He was the second Tanzanian peacekeeper to die as a result of this attack.

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the killing and wounding of MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) peacekeepers.  He offers his sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of the victims, and to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The United Nations remains committed to taking all necessary actions in line with Security Council resolution 2098 (2013) to protect civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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For information media • not an official record