Press Statement

18 July 2008, North of Genina / West Darfur: A UNAMID staff member was abducted, stripped of official and personal belongings, and physically assaulted by members of an armed Arab militia, as three of his colleagues were held at gun-point, at approximately 1144 hrs, near the UNAMID military base in El Genina - within close proximity to El Genina airport.

UNAMID avoided opening fire in response to avoid further aggravating the situation and in consideration of the lives of the civilian population in that area.

A member of the Sudan National Security intervened and the perpetrators released the staff-member.

The militia moved in a convoy, made up of approximately 1000 men on camel, horseback and in 4wd vehicles.

UNAMID condemns, in the strongest terms, the attack on its peacekeepers. The Mission is deployed to help the people of Darfur achieve peace and stability. In their attempt to resolve the conflict in Darfur, peacekeepers should not, in any way, be made party to the conflict.

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
Noureddine Mezni, Spokesperson; mezni@un.org – mobile: +249 (0) 92 562 9693 -+249 (0) 91 253 8420
Sharon McPherson, Media Relations, mcpherson1@un.org –mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0375 - +249 (0) 92 244 7941