Photo MONUSCO/Myriam Asmani

Kindu, 11 November 2011 – It is fifty years ago this year that 13 Italian peacekeepers were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Fifty years ago and the memory of their death is still fresh. They were all pilots and they were killed on 11 November 1961 in Kindu, currently the administrative capital of Maniema province.

It was here that a memorial service was held in their honour on 11 November as part of the ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of their passing away. They are being referred to here as "the Italian martyrs." Their deaths occurred during the first civil war that struck the DRC shortly after independence in 1960.

Several personalities attended the memorial service at the Saint-Esprit Catholic Cathedral in Kindu. Among them was the Italian Ambassador to the DRC, Pio Mariani, who led delegation of Italian nationals, mainly relatives of the slain soldiers; the Congolese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexis Tambwe Mwamba, himself native of Kindu and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC, Roger Meece.

In his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of the Kindu Diocese, Bishop Willy Ngumbi Ngengele called on his congregation to have faith in life and peace. "The killing of the 13 Italian military pilots who perished for peace to prevail in the DRC is a dark page in the history of our country that was faced with war immediately after independence," he said. "Thank God, peace has prevailed."

After the religious service, a memorial plaque was unveiled to commemorate the "fallen Italian martyrs." The memorial plaque is currently placed at the passenger hall of Kindu airport.

In his contribution, the Italian Ambassador, Mr. Pio Mariani urged Congolese Government officials to continue to make efforts for democracy to prevail in the country.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in DRC paid tribute to the fallen peacekeepers, hailing their courage and dedication. "We want to tell the Italian people that we still have the sacrifice made by their nationals fresh in our memory. The Kindu tragedy is an illustration of the dedication of UN peacekeepers and the risks they confront when fulfilling their mission. We are paying tribute to these pilots as well as to all the peacekeepers fallen in the field of operation for their dedication and professionalism," said Mr. Meece.

Two commemorative medals were handed respectively to the Congolese Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Catholic Bishop by Mr. Andreas Giovanni, a member of the Italian delegation and son of one of the 13 victims.