UN condemns the killing of Darfur peacekeepers

UNAMID condemned the killing of five of its soldiers in two separate attacks in Northern Darfur on Friday and Saturday. Three soldiers were killed in an ambush near Sarif Umra on Friday and two others were killed in Shangil Tobayi on Saturday. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on them. The attack took place just over 300 meters from a Sudan army base.

The Rwandan government first accused the government of Sudan for backing the attackers, but confirmed today that the deadly incidents will not cause the withdrawal of  its soldiers from Darfur. The UNAMID spokesman, Nourredine Al Mezni said to Radio Dabanga that the government of North Darfur is questioning two individuals suspected of possible involvement in the attack.

The governor of the North Darfur, Osman Kibir said the authorities arrested a number of men on suspicion of involvement in the killing of the three Rwandan in Sarif Umra. He added that the suspects were taken to El Fasher, where they will appear before a court to face punishment for their crime which he described as ‘heinous’.