“I strongly condemn the firing at one of our helicopters in Beni territory,” declared Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a statement released from the capital, Kinshasa.

The attack took place in the morning of May 4th, in the area of Oicha, 20 km north of Beni. The helicopters were fired upon by a group of unidentified armed men leading to a safe landing.

"This targeted attack against United Nations personnel is unacceptable and intolerable. We will not be deterred in our active protection of civilians. The attackers will be pursued with maximum efforts and minimum tolerance within the rules of engagement," Kobler added.

Photo: MONUSCO/Abel Kavanagh