Tanzania demands a UN inquiry into the DRC killing of its peacekeeping soldiers

Tanzania’s government is urging the United Nations to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances that led to the killing of 15 of its peacekeepers last week in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At an emotional ceremony held to commemorate the dead, the prime minister, Kassim Majaliwa said Tanzanians want to know what exactly happened and ‘ legal actions taken against those involved’.

‘‘The government of Tanzania is calling on the UN to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation for the spilled blood of Tanzanian soldiers, in order to know and justice be attained. It is our hope that will be done within the shortest time.’‘

The event was attended by the U.N.’s top peacekeeping official, Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

The attack, which the United Nations is blaming on Ugandan rebel outfit, Allied Democratic Forces ADF, was the deadliest against UN peacekeepers in nearly 25 years.

14 UN peacekeepers killed, over 40 wounded in Congo attack https://t.co/3olM9dmiyS

— africanews (@africanews) December 8, 2017

Regional wars in eastern Congo, which holds vast reserves of gold, tin, coltan and other minerals, between 1996-2003 killed millions and spawned dozens of armed groups that continue to exploit natural resources and prey on local populations.