The UN considered that the attack against the facility in the east of the country, which caused the death of three organization staff members, may constitute a war crime.

The claim was made by the UN Secretary-General's deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, who, in a statement, added that "any attack directed against `blue helmets' can be considered a war crime," and therefore called on the DRC authorities to "investigate this incident and quickly hold those responsible judicially accountable."

The population built barricades in different parts of the city, as well as lighting bonfires in front of some UN buildings, while a large part of the organization's workers in the province had to be withdrawn.

The attack came after the president of the Congolese Senate (upper house), Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, in mid-July accused MONUSCO of being ineffective, demanding its withdrawal.

Since 1998, the eastern DRC has been mired in a conflict fueled by rebel militias and attacks by army soldiers, despite the presence of the UN mission, with about 14,000 troops. (Lusa ,via RTP)