Africa News

‘Large number’ of UN peacekeepers attacked in Congo

Soldiers of the Kenyan contingent serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) load a truck as part of a re-supply convoy at their Sector Headquarters in the town of Dhobley, Southern Somalia 30 September 2012. AU-UN IST PHOTO / STUART PRICE.
A 'large number' of United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been killed and wounded in an attack, according to Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping.

Fifteen United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been killed and over 53 wounded in an attack, according to UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq. Five Congolese solders were also killed.

The attack took place on December 7 in the province of North Kivu. Suspected Allied Democratic Forces rebels attacked the MONUSCO Company Operating Base at Force at Semuliki in Beni territory, resulting in “in protracted fighting between suspected ADF elements and MONUSCO and FARDC Forces,” the mission said in a statement.

Radio Okapi, a DRC radio network, reported that the incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC has a yearly $1.2 billion cost and includes over 16,000 troops.

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