Dmitry Titov of Russian Federation Appointed to Lead Special Investigation into Attacks on Peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of Congo

The Secretary-General today announced the appointment of Dmitry Titov of the Russian Federation to lead a special investigation into recent attacks on peacekeepers and peacekeeping bases in the Beni territory of North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.  This special investigation will include a focus on the 7 December attack in Semuliki, in which 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed, 43 wounded and 1 remains missing.

The special investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding these attacks, evaluate the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s overall preparedness and response to the events and provide recommendations on how to prevent such attacks from occurring in the future, or, when they do occur, from having such lethal consequences.  The investigation team will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo early in January and will also visit relevant countries in the Great Lakes region.  In addition to officials of the United Nations, the team will also include two military officers from the United Republic of Tanzania.

Mr. Titov joined the United Nations in 1991.  He served as Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) from 2007–2017.  Mr. Titov also served as Africa Director in DPKO’s Office of Operations.

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*     This supersedes Press Release SG/A/1078-BIO/3898 of 27 July 2007.