Fallen Tanzanian troops remembered

A year on from the brutal killings of 15 Tanzanian United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the head of peacekeeping operations paid a visit to some of the victims’ families recently to honour the memory of the soldiers who died in what was the biggest single loss of ‘blue helmets’ in recent history.

Speaking on the island of Zanzibar, home to 13 of the men, Under Secretary-General Jean-Pierre la Croix promised their families that their loved ones’ service and sacrifice, would never be forgotten.

“I know it’s difficult to find words to express your pain. But let me assure you, that as you will never forget your brave heroes, we will never forget them as well.”

His address concluded a two-day visit to the country during which he also met with members of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force.