In the course of Sunday morning, 28 May 2006, a Nepalese peacekeeper died in combat during a clash occurring in the region of Tsupu (Ituri district), about 100 km from Bunia, in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Seven other Nepalese soldiers faced difficulties during the clash and lost contact with their unit.
The clash occurred as MONUC Blue Helmets were helping the Armed Forces of the DR Congo (FARDC) during their operation against militias that plague this part of the country. Three Nepalese soldiers, who were wounded during the incident and evacuated immediately to MONUC’s Moroccan hospital in Bunia, are now out of danger.
Seven other Nepalese soldiers faced difficulties during the clash and lost contact with their unit. Some militiamen claimed they had captured the seven peacekeepers, though they failed to provide any evidence. A search is under way in order determine the fate of the missing Blue Helmets, while the operations against Ituri militias are ongoing.
The unit, which has been conducting a joint cordon-and-search operation with the FARDC in the sector since 27 May, established contact at 7:45 (local time) with armed elements apparently belonging to the militia of the Front des Nationalistes and Intégrationnistes of Ituri’s warlord Peter Karim.
Twenty peacekeepers of the Nepalese battalion were transported by air to the scene of the clash in order to reinforce the troops already on the ground, who were receiving air support from a MI-25 combat helicopter. A mortar platoon was also transported by helicopter from Bunia to Fataki, reaching the zone on the same day at 12:00.
This fatal incident took place on the eve of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
The operation, which is codenamed Ituri Element III, is part of similar operations conducted in the Ituri district in order to force local militias operating in the region to surrender, lay down their guns and join the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) process. To date, over 14,000 other militiamen in the region have already been disarmed through the DDR programme.
It is regrettable that this fatal incident took place on the eve of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers - a day dedicated to all the women and men who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
A total of 12 MONUC peacekeepers have died on duty since the beginning of this year; a total of 74 Bleu Helmets have lost their lives since the establishment of the United Nations Mission in the DR Congo.
MONUC extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends, to his comrades in arms and his country, Nepal.