OTTAWA –
The federal government says all Canadian peacekeepers are safe and there is cause after a second day of deadly anti-United Nations protests in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Department of Defense and the RCMP confirmed the safety of all Canadian personnel at the DRC this afternoon when the United Nations reported three peacekeepers were killed in the violence.
Dozens of others have also been killed or injured during what UN officials describe as several attacks on bases and peacekeeping facilities in the country.
Protesters have accused the peacekeeping mission of failing to protect civilians amid rising violence in Congo’s eastern region, and called for UN forces to leave.
There have been allegations that peacekeepers have fired on civilians, prompting UN officials to promise an investigation even as they scramble to protect their facilities and people.
While the United Nations said Canada had nine police officers and eight military officers in Congo at the end of March, the Department of Defense says there are currently only six Armed Forces members there.
This Canadian Press report was first published on July 26, 2022.
With files from the Associated Press
