Most of the returnees came after the attack on January 25 against the Uruguayan contingent stationed in the African country, in which one soldier died and others were wounded.

It was in the middle of an offensive by the M23 rebel group that took control of the city of Goma, its airport and other areas of the province of North Kivu, where the Uruguay IV battalion of the UN peacekeeping mission is based.

After this event, the world organization suspended the rotation of blue helmet troops, “in view of the security situation and instability”, which has been maintained until now.

The measure involved hundreds of troops from several countries who were to be relieved between January 28 and February 4, including the entire Uruguay IV Battalion, whose replacement and return is being demanded bythe government of the South American country.

The Uruguayan blue helmets withdrew to a single base and abandoned two others they controlled.

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