19 August 2008 -- The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, (UNAMID), Headquarters, in El Fasher, observed a one minute silence in honor of UN colleagues who were killed in Iraq in 2003.

Going by the Secretary General's instructions, “we are to join our other colleagues in other mission areas to observe a minute of silence at all our duty stations today Tuesday, 19 August 2008 at 1041 hours.”

The Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada, read the remarks by the Secretary-General marking this occasion.

Similar ceremonies took place in UNAMID sector Headquarters in Nyala, El Geneina and Zalingei.

It will be recalled that on 19 August 2003 in Baghdad about five years ago, a truck loaded with bomb was detonated at the United Nations office killing 22 including the top United Nations envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and wounded more than 150.