Gunmen kill UN peacekeeper in South Darfur

Gunmen kill UN peacekeeper in South Darfur

2011-11-07 23:04:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

NYALA, SUDAN (BNO NEWS) -- A peacekeeper was killed on Sunday when gunmen opened fire at a United Nations (UN) patrol in the Sudanese state of South Darfur, the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) confirmed on Monday.

The attack happened on Sunday afternoon when UNAMID peacekeepers were conducting a patrol near Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. As a result, one peacekeeper was killed and two others were wounded. The mission said all three are from Sierra Leone.

Following the incident, UNAMID peacekeepers carried out a search in the area and detained a suspect who is believed to have been involved in the shooting. He was later handed over to Sudanese police, who are investigating the incident.

"I am deeply distressed by and in the strongest terms denounce all violence on our peacekeepers who work relentless to bring security and protection to the people of Darfur," said Ibrahim Gambari, Joint Special Representative and head of UNAMID. "I would like to remind that any attack on international peacekeepers is a war crime, and we will ensure that justice will be served."

Gambari called on Sudanese authorities to carry out a full investigation and bring the attackers to justice. "This attack is especially deplorable as it coincided with the holy occasion of Eid Al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice), an important celebration for Muslims that should bring together family and friends and help those who are in need," he added.

Last month, on October 10, three peacekeepers were killed and six others were injured when a group of armed assailants attacked a UNAMID patrol at the Zam Zam internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.

More than 23,000 troops, military observers and police officers and nearly 4,500 civilians serve with UNAMID, which assumed peacekeeping duties from an earlier African Union mission at the start of 2008. A total of 34 UNAMID blue helmets have been killed in the line of duty while serving in Darfur.

The UNAMID force is tasked with protecting civilians, promoting an inclusive peace process and help ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance across Darfur, an arid region on Sudan's western flank.

Fighting and large-scale displacement has convulsed the region since 2003 when rebels took up arms against the Government, whose military forces responded with the support of allied militiamen.

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