Investigation into deaths of UN experts in DR Congo
Bodies of American Michael Sharp and Swedish national Zaida Catalan found in shallow grave
An investigation has been launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo after the bodies of two UN experts and their translator were found in a shallow grave.
Zaida Catalan, 36, from Sweden, and Michael Sharp, a 34-year-old American, were found dead on Monday along with Congolese national Betu Tshintela.
They went missing on 12 March while visiting the politically unstable country to investigate alleged large-scale human rights violations by the Congolese army and local militias.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Their bodies were found together in the central Kasai province: Catalan had been decapitated but the other two were intact.
A further three Congolese staff who were with the trio have not yet been accounted for.
The UN confirmed on Tuesday that the bodies were of the three missing workers.
According to CNN, the remains were to be moved to the capital, Kinshasa, today.
This is the first recorded disappearance of international workers in the "once-calm" Kasai province, says Associated Press.
However, since last year, the region has been the scene of an ongoing conflict between the Kamwina Nsapu militia and government forces, with more than 400 deaths and 200,000 people displaced.
A UN diplomat, speaking anonymously, told the news agency that Catalan and Sharp had been investigating mass graves connected to the fighting.
Antonio Guterres, UN secretary-general, said the organisation would conduct an inquiry into the deaths, while a spokesman for the Congo confirmed they would investigate and attempt to find the remaining missing workers.
In a statement, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said Sharp, from Pennsylvania, and Catalan, had been "killed senselessly".
Sweden's national police said it has initiated a murder investigation into Catalan's death.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published