UN peacekeepers begin withdrawal from eastern Congo
Kamanyola, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters United Nations troops began their gradual withdrawal from restive eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, handing over a base to Congolese authorities, the peacekeeping mission said in a statement. The peacekeeping force, known as MONUSCO, has been deployed in Congo for more than 13 years after taking over […]
UN peacekeeping mission says staff, vehicles attacked in Congolese capital
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo said its staff and vehicles were attacked in the capital Kinshasa on Saturday as a worsening eastern security crisis fuels a backlash against the mission. Crowds on motorbikes gathered in the riverside Gombe district, where the UN […]
Eight UN peacekeepers detained in Congo over sexual abuse claims – sources
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Eight UN peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of Congo have been detained over allegations of sexual abuse, sources told Reuters on Thursday, as the UN said it would investigate unspecified serious misconduct. The UN peace-keeping mission in eastern Congo, known as MONUSCO, said in a statement that it had suspended […]
UN paints Congo helicopters orange to protect against attacks
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters The United Nations has painted bright orange its two white helicopters providing humanitarian relief in eastern Congo in an effort to protect them from militia attacks by distinguishing them from other aircraft. Insecurity has worsened in east Congo since a rebel group known as the M23 – one of […]
In shadow of conflict nearby, rebel upsurge hits Congo’s Ituri
Kigonze Camp, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Marie Dzedza has lost hope of leaving a displaced people’s camp and returning to her village in the eastern Congolese province of Ituri, where rebel violence is surging while regional attention focuses on a conflict in a neighbouring territory. Five years ago, Dzedza lost both her hands in […]
Eight civilians dead in clash with UN peacekeepers in east Congo – local government
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Eight people were killed and 28 wounded when protesters in east Congo’s North-Kivu province blocked and then set upon a convoy of United Nations peacekeepers on Tuesday, resulting in clashes, the provincial government said on Wednesday. Anti-UN sentiment has risen since a rebel group known as the M23 staged […]
Congo blames rebels for UN peacekeeper death as insecurity spurs protests
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Congo’s government on Monday blamed M23 rebels for an attack on a helicopter that killed a United Nations peacekeeper, as hundreds in the eastern city of Goma demonstrated over spiralling insecurity in the region. Militia violence has racked Democratic Republic of Congo’s vast mineral-rich east for two decades despite […]
UN says M23 rebels killed at least 131 in Congo reprisal killings
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of CongoReuters The M23 armed group executed at least 131 villagers in reprisal killings in east Democratic Republic of Congo late last month as part of a campaign of murder, rape, kidnapping and looting, the United Nations said on Thursday. A preliminary investigation by the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) and the Joint […]
Fifteen killed, hundreds of houses burned in eastern Congo attack
Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters Suspected militiamen carrying guns and knives killed at least 15 people and burned hundreds of houses during an attack overnight on a market in a town in eastern Congo, local officials and a resident said on Friday. The raid, near the town of Djugu, is the latest in a […]
Congo to reassess UN withdrawal plan after deadly protests
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of CongoReuters Democratic Republic of Congo’s government will re-evaluate the withdrawal plan of the United Nations peacekeeping mission after deadly anti-UN protests last week, it said late on Monday, suggesting it may ask the force to leave sooner than expected. The UN peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO, said on Tuesday that it […]