Tanzanian peacekeeper laid to rest
Son
of the late Tanzanian peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Major Khatib Shaaban Mshindo, Shaaban, cries as he pays last respects to
his father at Lugalo Barracks in Dar es Salaam on Sunday. Major
Mshindo, who died on Wednesday near Goma, was later laid to rest at
Fujoni, Zanzibar. Third right is the widow, Hawa. (Photo by Staff
Photographer)
THE Tanzania People’s Defence Forces
(TPDF) on Sunday said its peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC), Major Khatibu Shaaban Mshindo, died on the way to hospital
after he was hit by a bomb in Goma.
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF),
General Davis Mwamunyange, said the bomb injured five other Tanzanian
soldiers. The CDF was speaking at a function to pay last respects to
Major Mshindo at Lugalo Barracks in Dar es Salaam.
Major Mshindo was laid to rest at his
home village of Fujoni in Zanzibar, later yesterday. He is survived by a
widow and three children. The attack occurred in the Kibati Hills in
North Kivu as the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC
(MONUSCO) supported Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) to protect
civilian-populated areas of Goma from M23 rebel group. General
Mwamunyange noted further that the injured soldiers were still in
hospital and in stable conditions.
He showered praises on Major Mshindo,
saying during his life time he was hard worker, honest and diligent. His
death is a big blow, he added. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation, Mr Bernard Membe, said Major Mshindo would be
remembered as a hero because he died in action.
He said that the death which brings the
number of Tanzanian soldiers who have died in peacekeeping missions in
Sudan and DRC to eight, this year, will only act as a reason to
intensify efforts to help find lasting peace in the continent.
“The government is impressed with the
unity that Tanzanians have shown in supporting our soldiers in
peacekeeping missions....,” he said. He warned some people who were
seeking cheap popularity by sowing seeds of discord over the
government’s efforts to seek lasting peace in Africa and world in
general.
“Our role is to ensure that areas with
insecurity are secured, in DRC the condition is bad, people are dying
every day, women and children are raped and humiliated. We are
determined to end these deaths and our troops will not hold us back,” he
said.
On 28 March, this year, the UN Security
Council authorised the establishment of the intervention brigade to
carry out targeted offensive operations, with or without the FARDC,
against armed groups that threaten peace in eastern DRC.
At the same time, the Security Council
called on the M23 to cease immediately all forms of violence and
destabilising activities and for its members to immediately and
permanently disband and lay down their arms.
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