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| UN peacekeepers pay their last respects to Russian crew members [PHOTO: UNifeed] |
Juba, South Sudan: The bodies of four Russian crew members killed when a UN
peacekeeping helicopter was shot down in Jonglei State on Friday have been
flown back home.
In a memorial ceremony held at the UNMISS compound near Juba
International Airport on Monday morning, South Sudanese Deputy Defense Minister
Majak D'Agoot conveyed the government's condolences to the families of the
deceased and expressed the Government's commitment to fully investigate the
incident.
"We regret the incident and my government has committed
itself to investigate and establish the facts behind the circumstances that led
to this tragedy," D'Agoot said.
In her remarks, the Special Representative of the UN
Secretary-General for South Sudan Hilde F. Johnson highlighted the mandate of
the UN Mission to protect civilians in Jonglei, adding that the Russian
peacekeepers died in the line of duty.
She also welcomed the government's undertaking to bring to justice those
responsible for the attack on the aircraft.
He said, "I welcome the expression of determination of
the government of South Sudan to conduct an investigation immediately and to
bring to justice those who are accountable.
Both the Vice President and the President of the Republic of South Sudan
have personally conveyed this strong message to me on Saturday and they are
committed to let nothing like this ever happen again."
The chopper was shot down on Friday morning seven kilometers
northwest of the settlement of Likuangole in Jonglei State. -UNifeed