INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Italy’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo and a member of the military police, who was traveling with him today, were killed in an armed attack targeting a convoy of the UN’s World Food Program (WFP) in eastern Congo, the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Luca Attanasio, Italy’s ambassador to the country since 2017, Officer Vittorio Iacovacci and their driver were killed. Other members of the convoy were injured, the WFP said.
Italian Ambassador shot dead in DRC.
According to reports, the convoy of the World Food Program was attacked by millitants near Goma in eastern DRC.#NBSUpdates
Courtesy 📸 pic.twitter.com/Ha78kg1n5u— Daniel Lutaaya 🇺🇬 (@daniellutaaya) February 22, 2021
EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, briefed the foreign ministers on the incident at a meeting in Brussels and expressed his condolences to Italy and the United Nations.
“The news is extremely worrying and we are closely monitoring the situation with the EU delegation in Congo,” said EU Commission spokeswoman, Nimbala Masrali.
The Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, and Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, has vowed to find out who was responsible for the attack.
“The circumstances of this brutal attack are still unclear and no effort will be spared to shed light on what happened,” he said in a statement.
Congo: The Italian ambassador to the DRC assassinated in an attack against the UN, Luca Attanasio, was assassinated today in an armed attack against a UN convoy. pic.twitter.com/ZEvOEzF33q
— Moises Lopez (@chapoisat) February 22, 2021
Attanasio was awarded the Nassiriya International Peace Prize in October in a ceremony held at a church in southern Italy. The 43-year-old diplomat leaves behind a woman and three small children.
Also read: Mali | Three French soldiers dead while on mission after IED blast – Photo
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION
Defence Equity Facility | European Commission and EIF Announce €40 Million Investment in European Defence and Security Tech Fund Keen Venture Partners
A few days ago, the European Commission and the European Investment Fund (EIF) announced a €40 million investment deal with Keen’s European Defence and Security Tech Fund — a pioneering…
SAFE | Unanimous Approval, Safeguards and Clauses for Turkey’s Participation
The EU’s General Affairs Council today gave the final green light to the creation of the new ‘SAFE’ financial instrument, which will provide loans of €150 billion for common investments in European defence.
United Kingdom | Hands Sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius
The UK has signed an agreement to cede control of the disputed Chagos Islands to Mauritius, with Westminster stating that the deal safeguards the future of…
Denmark | Trial of Voyager Surveillance USVs in the North and Baltic Seas
Denmark has recently deployed two unmanned surface vessels (USVs), developed and operated by a U.S. company, to enhance surveillance efforts in the Baltic Sea and North Sea.
ALTUS LSA | Included in the List of the Top 100 Drone Defence Companies of 2025
The Defense Post has recently unveiled its definitive list of the Top 100 Companies Advancing Drone Technology, with Altus LSA proudly representing…
Lockheed Martin – KAI | Expansion of Strategic Relationship
Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2025 Paris Air Show on 17 June, to…
RTX, Kongsberg, and Norway Showcase Ghosteye Radar at Paris Air Show 2025
Raytheon, a business of RTX (NYSE: RTX), in collaboration with the Norwegian government and Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, has announced…
Rheinmetall – Anduril Industries | Strategic Partnership to Co-Develop and Deliver a Suite of Autonomous Systems
Rheinmetall and Anduril Industries have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop and deliver a comprehensive suite of autonomous systems.
MBDA | One-Way Effector Designed to Saturate Enemy’s Air Defence
At the 2025 Paris Air Show, MBDA is unveiling its One-Way Effector.
0 Comments