15 December 2010 - Yesterday a UNAMID vehicle was hijacked at approximately 8 km from Fata Burno, North Darfur. Three uniformed men armed with AK 47 rifles and a loaded Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher (RPG 7) stopped a UNAMID convoy returning from Fata Burno to Kutum. They aimed the RPG at the vehicle carrying three police advisors and forced them out of their car.

The perpetrators then drove away the vehicle, and despite fire from UNAMID soldiers in the convoy, managed to escape.

The Government of the Sudan (GoS) authorities were immediately informed of the incident and activated their anti-carjacking procedure.

The carjacked vehicle was consequently recovered today by the Sudanese Armed Forces, and will be handed back to UNAMID. The Mission expressed its thanks to GoS authorities for the prompt recovery of its property from the perpetrators who have been identified by GoS military and law enforcement agencies.

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