United Nations peacekeeping operations’ head attended a ceremony in Dar es Salaam on Thursday in honor to the killed peacekeepers in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo very recently during a mission.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said they have gathered in the port city of Tanzania to honor fourteen fallen peacekeepers from the country whose lives were sacrificed serving a mission of peace.
He added, “The Greek Philosopher Thucydides once said, ‘The bravest are surely those that have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet not notwithstanding go out to meet it.’”
The fourteen Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed on December 7 after suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) elements attacked on them in Semiliki in North Kivu of DRC.
Offering condolences to the Government and people he mentioned no word can express the sorrow of the family members, but it is also true they are proud of them.
Lacroix further said the peacekeepers knew about the dangers and still placed their lives to serve the people in DRC.
Earlier, United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres condemned the attack saying it is the worst in the history of the organization.
He said, “Today is a very tragic day for the UN family.”
About a year before nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed while patrolling in north eastern DRC.
In 1993 two dozen Pakistani peacekeepers were killed in Somalia and several Congolese army troops also sustained casualties attempting to aid the forces.
In early 2006 eight Guatemalan peacekeepers were killed in eastern DRC while carrying out reconnaissance missions.
