The Italian Ambassador to the DRC, Luca Attanasio has been murdered while on a fact finding mission on behalf of the UN World Food Programme. His Congolese driver and another Italian were also killed. Their unescorted convoy of seven people in two cars was attacked 15 km north of Goma.

There are questions being raised about the lack of an escort. The convoy was originally kidnapped and all passengers were taken into Virunga National Park, a dense forest notorious for hiding rebels. During a rescue effort by a patrol of park rangers, the ambassador, driver and bodyguard were shot.

Early reports indicate that the FDLR may be responsible, seeking to profit from a paid ransom. This is a Rwandan Hutu group known to be in the area that has caused trouble in Congo since the Rwandan genocide.

In January 1993, French Ambassador Philippe Bernard was killed during riots in Kinshasa sparked by troops opposing former President Mobutu Sese Seke.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56151600#:~:text=Italy’s%20ambassador%20to%20the%20Democratic,near%20Goma%2C%20a%20statement%20said.

The following photos were received directly from Kijiji Cha Amani.org.

https://www.kijijichaamani.org/rumour/XmHCtf/the-convoy-of-pam-carrying-the-italian-ambassador-has-been