The Community of Sant'Egidio expresses its great sorrow for the murder of Ambassador Luca Attanasio, Carabiniere Iacovacci, and the driver who accompanied them. We remember him with affection because we had the pleasure to meet him several times in Rome and Kinshasa. In this way, we got acquainted with his great professionalism and humanity. Specifically, Attanasio was passionate about the Dream program, through which Sant'Egidio treats AIDS patients in Africa. Meanwhile, he was also aware of the requests for social emergencies, such as the support for children who are living in a difficult situation; hence, from the street children to those who attend our Schools of Peace.
Attanasio’s death takes away a sensitive man who was committed to the common good. It is a great loss for Italy, but also for Africa, which is the continent to that Attanasio was courageously devoting his energy. He was confident about a better future that is based on development and peace. We gather around his family, his wife, and his children because we know and are close to them. Furthermore, we renew our commitment to Africa and to the pacification of the critical areas, which are marked by blind violence that does not spare a lot of innocent lives. This has been happening for too many years in Kivu, which is located in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Condolences to the other victims of the armed attack
