KINSHASA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and 15 others injured in a deadly incident on Sunday morning between UN peacekeepers and local residents in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said the Congolese government.
"The government strongly condemns and deplores this unfortunate incident, the provisional toll stands at two compatriots dead and 15 others injured as a result of shots fired by blue helmets from a contingent of the MONUSCO (UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC) Intervention Brigade," read a press release signed by Patrick Muyaya, the government spokesman.
While presenting its condolences to the bereaved families and the injured during the incident in Kasindi, a border town between the DRC and Uganda, the DRC government said arrangements are underway to ensure material and legal support. The DRC authorities, jointly with MONUSCO, have initiated an investigation.
"The government of the DRC calls for calm on the Congolese population in general, and particularly that of Kasindi and the entire North Kivu province," said Muyaya.
On Sunday, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC Bintou Keita lamented the loss of life and injuries caused by the incident, noting that it was unclear why the peacekeepers opened fire. The UN envoy did not mention specific casualties nor the peacekeepers' nationalities.
Since July 25, thousands of people have been demonstrating against MONUSCO in several towns across the country, particularly in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, where some MONUSCO offices have been ransacked and looted by demonstrators.
Earlier in the week, the demonstrations turned violent as protesters demanded that MONUSCO exit their country for failing to protect civilians amid rising violence.
According to the Congolese government, 15 people had lost their lives during the protests in North Kivu, including a peacekeeper and two police personnel from MONUSCO killed in the city of Butembo.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi on Saturday in Kinshasa to discuss the cooperation between MONUSCO and the Congolese government.
"We have agreed to draw lessons from these serious incidents, an in-depth assessment is underway between the UN and the authorities to move forward in our collaboration to restore confidence in the Congolese people," said the under-secretary-general. ■