As reported by the United Nations, on Saturday, the UN chief condemned an attack that occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during which eight peacekeepers of the United Nations Mission, engaged in Operation Springbok in collaboration with government troops, initiated last November, were injured.
The incident occurred near Sake, 20 kilometres from Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province, during clashes between the rebel movement M23 (the Mouvement du 23 Mar) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).
Through a statement released by his spokesperson, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, highlighting its possible qualification as a war crime under international law.Guterres also expressed his wish for a speedy recovery for the peacekeeping forces involved.
He also renewed appeals to all local and foreign armed groups to immediately cease hostilities and engage in the disarmament process.
Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC and head of the UN MONUSCO mission, also joined the condemnation, denouncing the attack.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations along with his Special Representative reiterated firmly the commitment of MONUSCO to pursue the mandate conferred by the Security Council for the protection of civilians.
Furthermore, they emphasized the organisation's determination to actively collaborate with the defence and security forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo to enhance joint and unilateral patrolling operations, to ensure the security and well-being of the civilian population in the region.
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