Peacekeeper slain in DR Congo laid to rest

Tanzania People Defence Force soldiers carry the coffin containing the remains of Lieutenant Rajab Mlima in Dar es Salaam yesterday.The soldier was killed by M23 at North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday. Lt Mlima who laid to rest at the Kisutu Cemetry in the city.He was among peacekeeping UN troops stationed in Goma.PHOTO| MICHAEL JAMSON 

By Alex Bitekeye,The Citizen

Posted  Friday, November 1  2013 at  00:00

In Summary

Lt Mlima’s farewell was held at Lugalo General Military hospital. His remains were later taken to his Mbezi Makonde home for religions prayers and later in the evening he was laid to rest at Kisutu Cemetery in the city.

Dar es Salaam. The minister for Defence and National Service, Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, yesterday led hundreds of people in bidding farewell to the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) officer Lieutenant Rajab Ahmed Mlima, who was killed in Goma, DRC on Sunday.

Mlima was laid to rest yesterday at the Kisutu Cemetery in Dar es Salaam.

Mr Nahodha described Lieutenant Mlima as a hero who died while in the line of duty. “there is nothing more precious than dying while carrying out your official duties,” he said.

Mr Nahoda noted that Tanzania will continue to preach and seek peace in all countries in the great lakes region.

“Yes, they killed him, but this will not make us back down,” said Mr Nahodha.

Lt Mlima’s farewell was held at Lugalo General Military hospital. His remains were later taken to his Mbezi Makonde home for religions prayers and later in the evening he was laid to rest at Kisutu Cemetery in the city.

The body was flown into the country on Wednesday aboard a special United Nations (UN) plane. High ranking officers were at the airport to receive it.

However, the TPDF spokesman, Major Erick Komba, could not be reached to explain the absence of government leaders at the airport. Tears flowed freely amongst those who had assembled at the TPDF air wing unit, mostly relatives of the deceased. Some of the mourners were hard-pressed to absorb the shock after realising that it was true that their hero had died.

SOURCE: THE CITIZEN