On 10 May, a Malawian peacekeeper was killed in an attack against MONUSCO, the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The attack took place near Beni, North Kivu in the northern eastern part of the country. It was carried out by alleged members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), one of the many militias active in the region. The ADF is also considered responsible for other attacks against MONUSCO forces, including one of the deadliest, which occurred in December 2017, taking the lives of 15 peacekeepers and wounding 44 others.
The assault was condemned by the UN Security Council, which firmly stated that deliberate attacks against peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law. The Security Council called on the Congolese authorities to bring the individuals responsible for the attack to justice, and reiterated its full support for the work of MONUSCO and its personnel, underlining the mission’s importance to the international community’s efforts to stabilize the country.
The security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern regions, is highly volatile. Violence has plagued the country for years,with armed groups clashing frequently over control of natural resources and territory. Not surprisingly, civilians have borne the brunt of the conflict, enduring an extremely difficult life and being subjected to daily violence. In order to face such a fragile situation, the UN established MONUSCO in 2010, a mission which took over a previous one already present in the country. Comprising around 17,000 personnel, the mission has tragically registered a high number of fatalities since its birth, as 211 peacekeepers lost their lives since MONUSCO was established.
To know more, please read:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/05/1091682
Author: Alessia Rossinotti; Editor: Alexander Collin
