UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep shock at the death of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers in a drone strike on a UN peacekeeping base in Abei area of Sudan.
On Sunday evening (December 14th), he called Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus and conveyed his condolences. Guterres said he was “abusive” and saddened by the news of the attack.
The UN Secretary-General requested the bereaved families to convey their condolences and expressed solidarity with Bangladesh. Professor Yunus called on the United Nations to take immediate treatment of the injured peacekeepers and immediate return of the bodies of the victims.
The injured have been given first aid at a local hospital and arrangements are being made to relocate the seriously injured for better treatment. The Chief Advisor thanked the Bangladesh peacekeepers for their efforts in the treatment and safe management of the United Nations.
In the phone call, the two leaders also briefly discussed the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh. Professor Yunus said the interim government is working to hold a free, fair and peaceful election on February 12th. Guterres expressed the hope that the elections in Bangladesh would be completed successfully.