Italian ambassador to DR Congo killed in UN convoy assault – POLITICO

The Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo has been killed in an assault on a United Nations convoy.

Luca Attanasio, 43, died in hospital on Monday, the Italian overseas ministry mentioned.

The convoy was attacked close to the city of Kanyamahoro, simply north of the town of Goma, on the border with Rwanda, in what’s believed to be an tried kidnapping. The convoy reportedly belonged to the UN’s World Meals Programme.

A army police officer was additionally killed within the assault, Italy’s overseas ministry confirmed. A driver was additionally killed, in line with Italian media.

Italian International Secretary Luigi Di Maio mentioned in an announcement that they’d been “violently torn from us whereas doing their obligation,” and that “no effort will likely be spared to make clear what occurred.”

European Council President Charles Michel tweeted that he was “shocked and saddened” by the information.