Peacekeepers attend a memorial service in Goma in a final tribute to the eight peacekeepers who died during a helicopter crash Tuesday
GOMA (DR Congo), April 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) paid a final tribute Saturday to the eight peacekeepers who died during a helicopter crash Tuesday in northeastern DRC.
The memorial service took place in Goma, capital of North Kivu province, in the presence of the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
“The remains of our departed peacekeepers are on their way back home. Once more we salute their courage and sacrifice in the service of peace,” said Khassim Diagne, the deputy special representative for protection and security at MONUSCO.
The helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission in Tshanzu, near Goma, where there have been clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and the DRC military in recent days. All eight peacekeepers – six Pakistanis, a Russian and a Serbian – who were on board the helicopter died after the chopper crashed.
The DRC military said Tuesday that the UN helicopter was shot down by M23 rebels, which is yet to be confirmed by the United Nations.
On Friday, the UNITED NATIONS Security Council expressed their deep concern over the crash and expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims, to their countries — Pakistan, Russia and Serbia, and to the United Nations.
The council members, noting ongoing efforts in this regard, urged the UN secretary-general, the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and the Congolese authorities to conduct swift, thorough and transparent investigations into the crash. They called on the Congolese authorities to bring any perpetrators to justice and to keep the relevant troop-contributing countries informed of the progress.
They condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MONUSCO. They underlined that deliberate attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.
The council members expressed concern about the increase in armed group activities in the eastern provinces of the DRC. They expressed their deep concern over the resurgence of the March 23 Movement, which has led to the displacement of hundreds of civilians and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
They stressed the importance of MONUSCO having the necessary capacities to fulfill its mandate and promote the safety and security of the UN peacekeepers and its operations. — NNN-XINHUA
