Condemning Deadly Attack on Peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Secretary-General Calls for Investigation, Bringing Perpetrators to Justice

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

The Secretary-General condemns the killing of a peacekeeper from South Africa deployed with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in Butembo, North Kivu, earlier today.  The peacekeeper was killed during an exchange of fire with suspected combatants of a Mayi Mayi armed group.  Two other peacekeepers from South Africa were also injured during the firefight.

The Secretary-General offers his sincere condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the Government of South Africa.  He wishes a swift recovery to those injured.  He calls on the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure that this attack is investigated and its perpetrators are brought to justice.  He underlines, once again, that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers are unacceptable.