El Daein, 21 January 2012 – An African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) patrol was ambushed today by unidentified armed persons in East Darfur. As a result, one peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded.

The patrol was attacked at approximately 12:15 while en route from El Daein to Saleah, located about 60 kilometres northwest of El Daein. 

Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari strongly condemned this attack which, he stressed, constituted a war crime. He committed the Mission to work closely with the Government of Sudan authorities in order that the perpetrators are apprehended as fast as possible and brought to justice.

Since the initial deployment of UNAMID on 31 December 2007, 35 peacekeepers have been killed as a result of hostile action.

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Communications and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Susan Manuel, Deputy director, manuels@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)92 241 0274
Chris Cycmanick, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations, cycmanick@un.org, mobile: +249 (0)91 253 8436