Indian peacekeepers among 15 killed in anti-UN protests in Congo’s east
- Anger has been fuelled by perceptions that the UN mission is failing to do enough to stop attacks by armed groups
- Demonstrations erupt in Congo cities of Goma and Butembo, where a UN soldier and two UN police were shot dead
Three United Nations peacekeepers and at least 12 civilians were killed during a second day of anti-UN protests in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, authorities said.
The protests were spurred by complaints that the UN mission, known as MONUSCO, has failed to protect civilians against militia violence which has raged for years.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence, deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement, adding: “He underscores that any attack directed against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and calls upon the Congolese authorities to investigate these incidents and swiftly bring those responsible to justice”.
Demonstrations began on Monday in the city of Goma and spread on Tuesday to Butembo, where a UN soldier and two UN police with the mission were shot dead, Haq told reporters in New York.
In both cities UN peacekeeping troops were accused of retaliating with force as hundreds of protesters threw rocks and petrol bombs, vandalised and set fire to UN buildings.
A Reuters reporter saw UN peacekeepers shoot dead two protesters in Goma, where government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said at least five people were killed and 50 wounded.