Nyala, 7 November 2011 – An African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) patrol came under attack yesterday afternoon by unidentified armed persons near Nyala, South Darfur. As a result, one soldier was killed and two other were wounded. All the casualties were from Sierra Leone.

Following the attack, UNAMID peacekeepers conducted a search of the area and apprehended a suspect who was handed over to the Government of Sudan police.

Ibrahim Gambari, Joint Special Representative and head of UNAMID, strongly condemned the attack.

"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," said the JSR.

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.

“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 internally displaced camp, near El Fasher, North Darfur.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org; tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020

Susan Manuel, Deputy director, manuels@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)92 241 0274

Guiomar Pau, Media Relations, paug@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)900 905 097