14 January, 2007-- El Fasher / N. Darfur - The UN-AU hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) supply convoy that left El Fasher to supply food and fuel rations in Southern Darfur yesterday returned to El Fasher.

Addressing the peacekeepers, who participated in the supply convoy, at the Mission’s Headquarters, yesterday, UNAMID’s Deputy Force Commander, Major General Emmanuel Karenzi commended them for successfully accomplishing their assignment despite the challenges.

General Karenzi who regretted the attack incident on the convoy, stated that such challenges are always associated with peacekeeping operations and charged them to remain resolute in the pursuit of the mission’s mandate.

The DFC stressed that UNAMID will continue to organize supply convoys as part of its operations, adding that lessons learnt during the first outing will be used to improve on the mission’s performance.
General Karenzi advised the peacekeepers to use the supply convoy as a window to interact with the local population and as an opportunity to gaining their support and confidence.

A total of 87 peacekeepers took part in the supply convoy. All have returned safely to El Fasher.

The UNAMID supply convoy, which left El Fasher on January 5, 2008, to deliver food and fuel rations to locations in Um Baru, Tine and Kutum, was attacked on 7 January, two kilometers from Tine by elements of GOS soldiers.

The U.N. Security Council has formally condemned the attack, and threatened action against any party obstructing the peace process. The Council warned that any attack or threat against the peacekeepers is unacceptable, and welcomed the Sudanese government's offer to conduct a joint investigation of the incident with the United Nations and African Union.

(UNAMID Press Release)