Gambari condemns attack on UNAMID peacekeepers

Asks Sudanese authorities to bring perpetrators to justice as soon as possibleIbrahim Gambari, head of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), condemned the attack of a UNAMID patrol that came under attack on Monday near Nyala, South Darfur.The attack in which unidentified men killed one soldier and wounded two others led to a search of the area by UNAMOD peacekeepers. One suspect has been identified and apprehended in this regard.Gambari strongly condemned the attack, saying, “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. 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 upon the Sudanese authorities to start a full investigation and to find and bring to justice the perpetrators as soon as possible.”I wish to extend to the family, friends, colleagues and fellow peacekeepers my deepest condolences for this lost, and I wish those injured a quick recovery,” said the JSR.He added, “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.”Since the initial deployment of UNAMID on 31 December 2007, 34 peacekeepers have been killed as a result of hostile action. Less than a month ago, two Rwandan soldiers and one Senegalese UNAMID police advisor were killed in the Zamzam camp, near El Fasher, North Darfur.