PRESS RELEASE

UNAMID Chief deeply troubled over recent air strikes in South Darfur

El Fasher, 16 May 2011 – African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari is deeply concerned over recent air strikes in South Darfur.

The aerial attacks, carried out yesterday by Sudanese Forces, affected the population of Labado town and Esheraya village, located 30km south of El Daein.

While the number of casualties and possible displacements cannot yet be accurately determined, the Mission is nevertheless troubled at the actions carried out by the Sudanese Air Force.

"Civilians are invariably the real and most numerous victims in any conflict. I call upon all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in the use of lethal force. All belligerents have a moral responsibility and obligation to respect humanitarian law and the rights of the innocent caught in the violence," said JSR Gambari.

At present, the Mission is sending teams to the locations to investigate the incidents.

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, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations, cycmanick@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 253 8436