Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Attack on Peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of Congo

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack, on 5 February, against a helicopter of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).  The helicopter came under fire while travelling from Beni to Goma, North Kivu Province, resulting in one South African peacekeeper killed and another severely injured.  The crew managed to land the helicopter in Goma.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the Government and people of South Africa.  He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.

The Secretary-General recalls that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime under international law.  He calls on the Congolese authorities to investigate this heinous attack and swiftly bring those responsible to justice.

The Secretary-General reaffirms that the United Nations, through his Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will continue to support the Congolese Government and people in their efforts to bring about peace and stability in the east of the country.