UN chief condemns attack on peacekeepers in DRC

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned "unequivocally" an attack on UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that killed 12 Tanzanian UN peacekeepers and five DRC soldiers.

"I want to express my outrage and utter heartbreak at last night's attack on UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," said Guterres.

Early indications from the site of the attack in North Kivu province indicate that at least 12 Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed, and at least 40 injured, four of them critically, according to the UN chief. In addition, at least five DRC soldiers were killed in the worst attack on UN peacekeepers in the world organization's recent history.

Guterres offered condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Tanzania, and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.

"I condemn this attack unequivocally. These deliberate attacks against UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and constitute a war crime. I call on the DRC authorities to investigate this incident and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. There must be no impunity for such assaults, here or anywhere else," said Guterres.

The attack on a peacekeeping base in North Kivu province is another indication of the enormous sacrifices made by troop-contributing countries in the service of global peace. These brave peacekeepers are putting their lives on the line every day across the world to serve peace and to protect civilians, said Guterres. Enditem