El Fasher, 16 April 2010 – Contact was established for the first time with four UNAMID peacekeepers who were reported missing more than five days ago.

The unarmed South African police advisors, two women and two men, were abducted at approximately 16:00 hrs on 11 April 2010 after departing their team site in the town of Nyala, South Darfur, on a 7km journey back to their private quarters.

“We spoke to our staff today by phone. They reported to be unharmed. We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of our peacekeepers,” said UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative Mohamed Yonis.

The Mission has mobilized its resources in the region and is working in close cooperation with the Government of the Sudan and local authorities in the search and release of the peacekeepers.

UNAMID will not issue further statement on the incident until a resolution has been reached.