February 23rd – According to a report by the European Union News Agency quoted by the European Union News Agency, the World Food Programme said on the 22nd that an armed attack on the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the 22nd local time, which led to Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo Atanasio and his Bodyguards and a WFP staff member were killed.
United Nations Secretary-General Guterres and the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy strongly condemned the matter and expressed condolences to the victims.
It is reported that at about 10:00 local time on the 22nd, the convoy of the United Nations World Food Programme was attacked near the eastern city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Atanasio was killed at the same time as his 30-year-old escort Yakovach and a WFP driver.
Atanasio, who was only 43 years old and died in the attack, was one of the youngest ambassadors to Italy.
He joined the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2003 and served in Italian embassies and consulates in Switzerland, Morocco and Nigeria.
Since 2017, he has been ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has carried out many humanitarian projects.
In response to the incident, Italian Prime Minister Draghi expressed his deepest condolences to Atanasio.
President Matarella strongly condemned the attack and expressed Italy’s condolences to the loss of national public officials and condolences to his family.
In addition, United Nations Secretary-General Guterres also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the Governments of Italy and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Guterres called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to promptly investigate this heinous attack against the United Nations Joint Field Mission and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He reiterated that the United Nations will continue to support the efforts of the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to achieve peace and stability in the eastern part of the country.
