Blitz Bureau
UN peacekeeping chief JeanPierre Lacroix has thanked India and other countries that have sent troops to the UN mission in Congo. Three peacekeepers were killed last week by the M23 rebel group, which has captured the eastern regions of the mineral-rich country. At present, 1,114 Indian soldiers and 160 policemen are reported to be safe.
In this regard, Lacroix said, “We really admire the resilience, tenacity, determination and commitment of our peacekeepers, men and women serving in politics and I would like to express my gratitude to the countries that sent troops.”
He also said, “It is very challenging for our peacekeepers and of course it is very challenging for our true contributing countries as well,” adding, “I really thank them for their support.” Earlier, 21 Indian peacekeepers had died while working with MONUSCO. It is one of the UN’s deadliest missions, with nearly 290 peacekeepers killed.
According to reports, two South African peacekeepers were killed on January 25 and a Uruguayan peacekeeper on January 26 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In addition, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has a separate peacekeeping mission in the DRC, reported that three Malawian and nine South African soldiers were killed in its missio
