UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) paid a final tribute Saturday to the eight peacekeepers who died during a helicopter crash Tuesday in northeastern DRC.
GOMA, DR Congo, April 3 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the 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 this Saturday in Goma, capital of North Kivu province, in the presence of the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix (Front) holds a candle at a memorial service in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 2, 2022. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)
"It is essential that the circumstances of this tragedy should be thoroughly investigated and that responsibilities should be determined. Actions to strengthen our ability to carry out our tasks will undoubtedly continue," said Lacroix at the ceremony.
"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.
Peacekeepers attend a memorial service in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 2, 2022. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)
The helicopter was on a reconnaissance mission in Tshanzu, near Goma, where there had been clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and the DRC military in recent days. All eight peacekeepers who were on board the helicopter died after the helicopter 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.
Peacekeepers attend a memorial service in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on April 2, 2022. (Photo by Zanem Nety Zaidi/Xinhua)
The M23 is a group of former rebels of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP). The name came from the March 23, 2009, agreement between the CNDP and the Congolese government, which M23 leaders claimed had not been respected by the government.■
