Five dead including two Tanzanian peacekeepers following rebel attack in DR Congo

By

Sylvain Muyali

Five people, including two Tanzanian peacekeepers from the United Nations’ MONUSCO force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, were killed in an attack by suspected terrorists from the Ugandan rebel Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF/NALU).

Fourteen others were reportedly wounded in the rebels’ ambush in the town of Mukoko, 36 km from Beni in the province of North Kivu.

This was the second attack in forty eight hours following a helicopter coming under fire in the region.

Julian Paluku, governor of North Kivu, quickly cut short his holidays to investigate the situation and make any affirmative responses.

Following a closed meeting of the Beni Security Office, Paluku and Congolese National Police Commissioner General Awashango Umiya Vital accompanied UN Special Representative Martin Kobler to the scene of the tragedy in Mukoko.

In their statement to the press both condemned the attack against the peacekeepers and Congolese citizens.

Martin Kobler stressed that it was time to act jointly with the Congolese army (FARDC) to end the ADF rebels’ terrorist atrocities.

For his part governor Paluku said it was necessary to analyse in depth the situation to prevent any future attacks against civilians, the army and UN peacekeeping forces.

Long before the visit by the above mentioned, General Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz, force commander of MONUSCO, visited the scene of the ambush where he confirmed to press that operations against the prime suspects of the attack would continue with a view to putting a definitive end to the ADF rebels forces.

Sylvain Muyali

Sylvain Muyali is a Journalist, Photographer and Filmmaker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has reported previously for the Associated Press and his words and images can also be found at ‘Vivons Positivement‘