PRESS RELEASE

UNAMID PEACEKEEPERS AMBUSHED IN WEST DARFUR

El Fasher, 22 March 2011 – Today at about 16.15hrs, two UNAMID peacekeepers received multiple gunshot wounds after being ambushed while driving in West Darfur.

The uniformed Mission personnel had just completed escort duties when their 4x4 was fired upon by unknown men in Masteri, a village located 45 kilometers south of El Geneina. One peacekeeper, the driver of the vehicle, was seriously injured and his colleague is in critical condition.

The AU-UN Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari expressed outrage at this cowardly attack against UNAMID’s peacekeepers, who are in Darfur to help restore peace and stability. UNAMID remains undaunted and unwavering in its commitment to carrying out its mandate in the service of peace.

UNAMID calls upon the Government of the Sudan to identify, capture and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

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