15 December 2010 - UNAMID reported yesterday a shooting between Sudanese Armed Forces and Sudan Liberation Army / Minni Minawi (SLA/MM) elements in Shangil Tobaya village, located 65 km south of El Fasher, North Darfur.

The incident occurred when a convoy of Sudanese Government officials, escorted by military forces, approached the locality, coming from Nyala, South Darfur. SLA/MM in the area mistook the advance party of the convoy escort as an attack and opened fire. The convoy responded in kind resulting in a 30-minute firefight. SLA/MM withdrew and the convoy proceeded to El Fasher.

No casualties were reported among the forces involved, but a UNAMID national staff member was injured by a stray bullet and was taken to the UNAMID clinic for treatment where he remains in a stable condition.

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  

Chris Cycmanick, O-i-C Media Relations; cycmanick@un.org; mobile: +249 (0) 91 253 8436