The United Nations experts investigating the murder of two of the global body’s investigators in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year have accused Congolese security officials of interfering with the investigation into the killings.
Michael Sharp, a U.S. citizen, and Zaida Catalan, a Swedish national were part of a group of experts monitoring a sanctions regime imposed on Congo by the U.N. Security Council last year but went missing.
They went missing near the village of Ngombe in the province of Kasai Central which is engulfed in conflict. Their bodies were discovered months later in the central part of the country.
The U.N then launched a probe into circumstances leading to their death but a confidential note, according to Reuters issued out by the United Nations’ Department of Political Affairs dated April 18 claimed that the investigation is facing challenges.
The note was circulated among Security Council members on the progress of a team of experts sent to Congo in November last year by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to support Congolese officials’ investigation into the killings.
The note said that the team, led by Canadian lawyer Robert Petit, attempted “to develop a productive working relationship with the DRC prosecuting and national authorities but has faced difficulties in gaining full cooperation.”
“Several key arrests have taken place, but progress in the investigation continues to be hampered by the continued interference of the security apparatus,” the note said.
