UN peacekeepers, colloquially known as "blue helmets", have been deployed in Congo for more than 20 years. Besides Congo, they are also stationed in other African countries and human rights violations on their part are reported time and again. However, there is also growing resistance to the stationed UN groups among the peoples who live there. This became particularly clear last Tuesday, the 26th of July, when crowds took to the streets to protest against the soldiers. They gained access to the buildings of the UN mission base and looted and destroyed the facilities.
Three blue helmets were also liquidated by the crowds during the protests; they are said to have previously seized the weapons in an action against the Congo National Police and then fired on the soldiers. Twelve civilians were also killed and many were wounded when the security forces used tear gas and guns against them and arrested.