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UN Raises DRC Death Toll to 15 Peacekeepers, 5 Congolese Soldiers

By Margaret Besheer December 08, 2017

The United Nations says the death toll in an attack Thursday on U.N. peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo has climbed to 15, and the U.N. will fly its flags at half-staff Monday in tribute.

The peacekeepers, all from Tanzania, were working at a U.N. mission in DRC's troubled North Kivu province, home to the Ugandan rebel group the Allied Democratic forces (ADF). A U.N. official told VOA that the group, which has attacked the mission in the past month, is suspected to be behind Thursday's attack.

Reports say at least two more peacekeepers are missing. The U.N. mission, MONUSCO, said at least five Congolese soldiers were also killed in the protracted fighting between suspected ADF elements and MONUSCO and Congolese forces.

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has expressed shock over the attack. He addressed his constituents Friday, the day the attack was reported by the United Nations – and the day before Tanzania celebrates its independence day.

The U.S. State Department has said it is "horrified" by the attack, in a statement coming out of the department's Bureau of African Affairs. The statement extended "deepest condolences" to the peacekeeping mission, the Congolese military and the families of those killed.

At the United Nations on Friday, the U.N. Security Council held a moment of silence for the victims, followed by closed consultations on how to respond.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called the attack a war crime.

Guterres expressed his "outrage" after Thursday's attack, which also left about 40 people injured.

"I condemn this attack unequivocally," Guterres said earlier Friday. "These deliberate attacks against U.N. peacekeepers are unacceptable and constitute a war crime."

"This is the worst attack on peacekeepers in the organization's recent history," Guterres said.

The peacekeepers were part of a special intervention force based in eastern Congo.

"Military reinforcements have arrived on the scene, the force commander is there as well, coordinating the mission's response, and the medical evacuation of casualties is ongoing," Guterres added.

"Attacks against those who are working in the service of peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are cowardly and constitute serious violations," said MONUSCO chief Maman Sidikou in a statement. "MONUSCO will take all actions to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable and brought to justice."