Armed group opens fire on UN helicopter in eastern Congo, 2 peacekeepers injured

Two South African peacekeepers were hit, one critically, by gunfire from members of an armed group that opened fire on a UN helicopter early on Friday in the eastern Congo, according to the UN.

According to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the attack was likely carried out by M23 rebels in the Masisi area of the Karuba region of North Kivu province.

For many years, the Eastern Congo has been plagued by armed conflict between over 120 factions vying for control over land, precious minerals, and other resources, while some groups are defending their local communities. In the mineral-rich region, armed groups have long carried out violent campaigns and faced accusations of mass murder.

When the M23, which had been mainly inactive, intervened in late 2021, the conflict intensified. However, there were more assaults to seize the region. According to reports, the group gets assistance from neighbouring Rwanda; however, the government of that nation disputes any connections.

According to Dujarric, the attacked helicopter made a safe landing in Goma, and medical support was being provided to the peacekeepers.

The commander of the UN peacekeeping force in the Congo, Bintou Keita, vehemently denounced the strike on an aircraft flying the UN flag. He said in a statement that it occurred nearly a year after a South African peacekeeper was killed in a similar incident.

According to Keita, attacks on UN peacekeepers may qualify as war crimes, and the Congolese mission will not cooperate with Congolese authorities to prosecute the attackers.