Violent protests against MONUSCO mission in Congo, all Nepali peacekeepers are safe: Nepal Army

The Nepali Army has informed that the situation of the Nepalese peacekeepers deployed in the United Nations Stability Mission (MONUSCO) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is safe.

The Military Public Relations and Information Directorate of the Army issued a notification on Wednesday and informed that all the Nepalese peacekeepers and military observers deployed in the mission are safe.

In a statement issued by Military Spokesperson Brigadier General Narayan Silwal, all units of the Nepali Army and military observers deployed in the mission have been instructed to adopt special security precautions, to continuously monitor the situation, and to be in constant contact with the Directorate of Peace Operations.

At least 15 people have died in the second day of anti-UN protests in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to international media.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it could be a "war crime"

The crowd that took to the streets of Goma on Monday are protesting against the mission saying that they have failed to stop the activities of armed groups which have become violent at the moment. Demonstrations spread further north to the cities of Beni and Butembo on Tuesday.

According to the government spokesman there, Patrick Muyaya, five people died in Goma and around 50 people were injured, according to international media.

Colonel Paul Ngoma, the local police chief, said seven civilians died in Butembo.

A peacekeeper and two UN police officers were also killed in Butembo, according to a statement issued by the UN mission.

The United Nations said protesters violently wrested weapons from Congolese police and opened fire on peacekeepers.

The Secretary General of the United Nations strongly condemned the violence.