UN accuses DRC militia of attacking peacekeepers

GOMA, DR Congo (AFP) — A top United Nations (UN) official on Sunday accused the M23 militia force active in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of attacking peacekeepers in the troubled east of the country.

The statement from Assistant Secretary General Bintou Keita came after the DRC’s army launched an offensive against the group on Thursday.

Keita’s statement condemned the militia’s attack on both the government forces and the UN’s Monusco peacekeeping force.

“The rebels of the M23 deliberately targeted the peacekeepers of Monusco… who fired back, in line with their mandate,” she said.

The army and the Monusco soldiers then launched a joint operation against the rebels, her statement added.

Residents of Goma, the main city in North Kivu province, said Monusco had used helicopters in their operation against the rebels.