Mutharika says Malawi to continue sending soldiers on peace mission despite losing 6 ‘brave heroes’ in DRC
President Peter Mutharika has said Malawi Defence Force (MDF) troops will continue fighting for peace in the world despite losing six soldiers who were part of UN peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) supporting an offensive by local forces against an Islamist group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
Mutharika, who is also Commander-In-Chief of the MDF, said this at Kamuzu international Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe as he paid his last respects and conveyed his condolences to the families of the six soldierswho were killed inDRC.
The plane carrying the fallen soldiers’ bodies touched down at Kamuzu International Airport in Malawi capital at exactly 11:58 local time.Each of the six caskets was draped in the UN flag.
The Malawi leader said the killing of its soldiers will never distract Malawi’s support towards peacekeeping missions.
“Malawi is a peace loving country, where we train our soldiers to be instruments of peace and as a peaceful country we strive to join others to bring peace where there is war, love where there is hatred and hope where there is despair,” said Mutharika.
He described the six soldiers as “brave heroes” who sacrificed themselves to fight for peace and liberty.
Mutharika said Malawi will never be frightened by such coward acts by the rebels.
“Though our sacrifice is painful, neither death nor enemies will stop us from being who we are, which is warriors our peace both in the nation and all over the world,” he said in sombre mood.
Mutharika commended the Malawi militray for being an exemplary peace keeping force wherever it goes.
UN Resident Coordinator for Malawi Maria Jose Torres Macho expressed deep sadness over the deaths of the soldiers, describing them as brave individuals that dedicated their talents, skills, and life to support peace keeping missions in the world.
“We will ensure that the names of the fallen soldiers are always remembered as they did not die in vain but sacrificed their lives for peace,” said Macho.
Macho urged the Congolese government to continue taking action to bring the attackers to justice.
In his remarks, Commander of MDF, General Griffin Supuni Phiri praised the fallen soldiers for their heroism saying they were full o flife and had so much to offer to the nation and their families.
“All those still fighting in DRC should continue to soldier on and never retreat for the greater good of humanity,” he said.
One of the widows Rachel Chitete who has a two week old baby lamented that her husband was the breadwinner of the family and she will have difficulties to take care of the family as a single paren.
The six soldiers are Lt Aubrey Kachemwe, Coporal Jonathan Kapichira, Private Chauncey Chitete, Sergeant Steve Kambalame, Private Simplex Kafelakaso and Private Benjamin Songela.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack saying the killing of peacekeepers was unacceptable and constituted to war crimes.
The ADF is responsible for a series of attacks on civilians in recent months.
Eastern DRC has been plagued by banditry and armed insurrections for more than two decades, since the fall of the military ruler Mobutu Sese Seko, but there has been a surge in violence in the past year.
Much of the unrest has been blamed on the ADF, which analysts say is trying to develop links with other jihadists in Africa and beyond
Malawi contribute to the longstanding 17,000-member peacekeeping force in violence-prone parts of the DRC.
Countries contributing troops to UN peacekeeping missions are well paid for sending their personnel – about $1,410 (£1,017) per month per soldier.
In recent years, the ADF has tried to align itself with better-known extremist groups, adopting a flag resembling that of Isis and using language popularised by al-Qaida.
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Bwera koni ku tchireko abale. Tikuferanji
Rev John Chilembwe questioned and said, nchifukwa chiyani munthu wakuda azikamenya nkhondo ku dziko la a pwitikizi? Kodi munthu wakuda nkhondo ikadzatha, adzapezapo phindu?
Those were pertinent questions. These United Nations and colleagues are fighting for minerals in DRC. These minerals are for making bombs, computer accessories and what have you.
Rest In Peace guys you did your part & you fought a good fight. Prayers to the bereaved families. My plea to all those concerned please when The United Nations pay the money for these slain soldiers make sure that even the last cent MUST reach their families. Osasolola Akuluakulu, this is the beginning of a tough road for these bereaved families but we believe that The Lord will hold them hands.
MTSRIP. The General is only human and he cares for his juniors
MTSRIP. The General is only human. it shows he cares for his juniors
Very proud of you heroes, REST IN PEACE. But we should not forget that they went for war,we should expect such at one time or another……………salute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RIP
REST IN PEACE OUR GREAT HEROES
what a lose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May their souls rest in internal peace. Our Brave solders, we wil miss you guys. However, tikumangofera za eni ake mr president. This is is the WAR in which UN is fighting America. Why USA through CIA should continue funding Militias in DRC? USA is a sponsor of terrorism. Please USA leave us alone, we are tired with your behaviour of rooting our mineral resources by destablising african countires through Militias. This is not fake news: https://en.wikepedia.org/wiki/CIA_activities_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo
KODI NDALAMAZO NANUNSO OSAZIIKA MU MALAWI KWACHA BWANJI OSAFOTOKOZA KUTI MALAWI KWACHA NDI MWAKUTI AAAAAA
Why are we sending these young men to fight or defend a cause that is of no benefit to the country but benefits rich nations to plunder mineral resources for their own enrichment
Rest in peace Brave heroes!!!
INNA LILLAH WAINNA ILAIH RAJIGHUNA
Very sad!
Sorrowful Moment. I feel for the 2 weeks old baby widow .
Let’s keep on fighting. Yet, its their job, Do or die job. What else can we say???
I salute the general for that tear shed. This shows that he is a man of his men in uniform. Others would just take it as if its none of his business or business as usual. I expected to see the same pic depcting the head of state in the same sombre mood but anyway may be because he is a head of state but amati wa mmuna salira koma kuchingoni zikafika povuta amuna timalira kuti mayiwawayeee. I salute you once again our general Supuni. Big up.
You are making this directive because none of your children is involved in this armed conflict which is taking place thousands of miles away from home soil. No amount of chipepeso will replace those lost lives
SAD TO LOOSE OUR SOLDIERS IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY WHERE THE OWNER OF THAT COUNTRY DELIBERATELY CHOSE TO CONTINUE FIGHTING. THESE STUPID AMERICANS THE CIA IS BEIND ALL THE PROBLEMS IN DRC, THE AMERICAN FUND THE REBELS AND ON THE OTHER HAND THEY SUPPORT UN. SO THE WAR IS AGAINST UN AND UNITED STATED STATES.. THIS IS SAD FOR AFRICA, THE STUPID AMEICAN ARE INDEED STUDPID. MY TAKE IS THAT AS COUNTRY WE SHUD REVIST OUR LAWS OR THE AGREEMENTS WHICH WE RATIFIED WITHOUT ACTUALY FORESEEING THE FUTURE EFFECTS. WE SILILARILY AGGREED THAT WE WILL BE RECIECNG REFUGEES YET TANZANIA, MOZAMBIQUE AND ZAMBIA DOES NOT RECIEVE REFUGEES. WHY MALAWI
WE HAVE TO STOPE SENDING OUR SOLDIERS TO DRC. IS A LOSS TO FAMILIES. IS NOTTHE COUNTRY THAT LOOSES THESE PEOPLE BUT FAMILIES AND RELATIVES. WHETHER YOU GIVE THEM MORE MORE THAT MAKES NO SENSENCE . THEIR PRESENCEIN THEIR FAMILIES MATTER. SO DONT JUST SAY THAT WE WILL KEEP SENDING SOLDIERS WHEN OR BOYS ARE DYING . NOOOOO, SEND YOUR RELATIVES TO DRC AND WE SEE IF YOU WILL CONTINUE
That’s what happens Mr KAKA, when you write something out of anger, most of your sentences and spellings are just a pile of bullshit. It hurts my brain and eyes. Learn to calm down buddy. Anyway R.I.P our fallen heroes!
Hahaha🤣🤣🤣
Bush it and it hurts you. Sorry for that. I hope the message is clear unless you are bullshit
Very sad. RIP our brave soldiers.
koma zoona mpaka boma osapanga recognize anthu a opposition? even the veep was frozen out of this national event.
VP anagwa kale!
Kodi ku Malawi kulinso VP masiku ano?
Ngati aliko, what does he do, job wise?
MAY THEIR SOULS SHOULD REMAIN IN ENTERNAL PEACE
Sincere condolences to my fellow mothers , wives and children. Mwafwa tafwa
The peacekeeping duties that our brave soldiers undertake in the various countries to which they are assigned are commendable. Malawi should continue to contribute to this noble effort as part of its obligation in the international community. HOWEVER there is a bit of disquiet as concerns the area of operations in the DR Congo. Isn’t the EASTERN DRC where there is an outbreak of EBOLA? Just curious …..
You make a very important point. It is tragic to witness our brothers returning from foreign service in coffins, but it would be even more disastrous for us if Ebola were to be spread to Malawi by military personnel returning from service in the DRC. I trust that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent such an eventuality.