DR Congo Says 32 Civilians Killed in Protests Against UN Peacekeepers

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - At least 32 civilians died during protests against the UN peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an inquiry by the Congolese authorities foun

A report on casualties of unrest that swept eastern Congo last week was presented to President Felix Tshisekedi at a crisis meeting on Monday evening, Politico.cd reported Tuesday.

"This report puts the death toll at 36, distributed as follows: 13 deaths in Goma, 13 in Butembo, including 4 blue helmets, 4 in Uvira, 3 in Kanyabaonga, and 3 in Kasindi. On top of this come 170 wounded," minutes of the meeting read.

The Congolese have been angered by how little security in the central African country has improved over two decades of MONUSCO's presence. The mission has more than 14,000 troops and police forces in DR Congo, whose stated goal is to combat violence by armed groups.

Outrage at MONUSCO grew on Sunday after troops killed two civilians in the town of Kasindi on the border with Uganda. Mission chief Bitou Keita said soldiers opened fire for “unexplained reasons” while returning from leave in their home country.