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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

DRC: Inquiry launched into killing of MONUC observers

NAIROBI, 17 June 2003 (IRIN) - The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has launched an inquiry into the killing in May of two military observers in Mongbwalu, 17 km north of embattled Bunia, eastern DRC, UN News reported on Monday.

The agency reported that MONUC had opened its investigation into the allegations and circumstances of the deaths of the Jordanian and Malawian peacekeepers, whose mutilated bodies were recovered from Mongbwalu on 18 May.

While confirming the deaths in May, MONUC spokesman Hamadoun Toure told IRIN that the two were "savagely killed".

Toure had said the area in which the bodies were found was in the control of Front des Nationalistes et Integrationnistes militias led by Floribat Ndjambu. He said that it was the first time UN military observers had been killed in an area controlled by militias.

Several other MONUC military personnel have died following mine accidents or illness, Toure said.

Theme(s): (IRIN) Conflict

[ENDS]

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