by Yulu Kabamba
Unidentified armed men killed two military
observers of the United Nations Mission for the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, 70 km north of Bunia.
After several unfruitful attempts, MONUC team flew to Mongbwalu on 18 May and found that the military observers reported missing a few days ago, had already been buried. The bodies of the victims were taken to Bunia in the evening. The first findings suggest that the observers were savagely killed.
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Namanga Ngongi expressed his indignation and condemns in the strongest term this horrendous and revolting act against unarmed observers deployed in Ituri about a month to support the peace process.
MONUC calls on the armed groups controlling this part to make every effort in order to identify and arrest the perpetrators of this horrible crime and bring them to justice. MONUC will open an investigation to establish the facts and responsibilities.
MONUC reminds the Congolese parties that the security of their civilian and military UN personnel present in their territory is their responsibility and they should not disregard this obligation on any account.