On Thursday, the head of United Nations Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, briefed a closed session of the Security Council to discuss the situation in the country, United Nations Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York.
The ambassadors met a day after the Congolese authorities officially expelled MONUSCO The country’s spokesman is said to have made “untransparent and inappropriate remarks” following recent deadly protests in the east, according to media reports.
Regret and Commitment
Mr. Dujarric said the UN regrets the decision.
“Consistent with the status of the United Nations under the Organization’s Charter, any concerns that the Government may have regarding the actions of a member of MONUSCO should be raised directly with the leadership of the Mission. Accordingly, the United Nations Mission and Headquarters is working with the Government to address this issue,” he added.
MONUSCO also lamented the government’s decision. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Mission stressed its commitment to “continue to work with the people and authorities of the Congo to carry out the mandate entrusted to it by the Security Council.”
Establish accountability
The shooting happened on Sunday in Kasindi, a town in North Kivu province, on the border between the DRC and Uganda.
Peacekeepers were returning from leave when they opened fire on a border post, under unclear circumstances. Two people were killed and several others were injured, according to media reports.
UN Secretary General António Guterres “outraged” by the “serious incident,” in addition to being saddened and dismayed by the loss of life and injury, according to a statement by his spokesman that day.
The Secretary-General stressed the need to establish accountability and welcomed MONUSCO’s decision to immediately open an investigation.
