Attacks on Darfur peacekeepers must be punished, Congo official tells UN

Addressing the General Assembly today, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Congo decried the recent attack on African Union peacekeepers serving in the strife-torn Darfur region of Sudan and said the crime must be punished.

Basile Ikouebe “strongly condemned the recent attack perpetrated against the peacekeepers serving with the African Union at Haskanita in South Darfur.” The perpetrators of this crime must be “found and punished,” he added.

Looking to the planned deployment of the hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force for Darfur, to be known as UNAMID, he said Congo would contribute a contingent to the mission.

Speaking at the Assembly’s annual high-level debate, he emphasized the need for political dialogue to address the crisis and looked forward to the planned 27 October talks in Libya bringing together the parties. “And for the parties that would be reluctant, sanctions should be envisioned,” he said.

Mr. Ikouebe also underscored the importance of humanitarian assistance in fostering stability in the region.