Ban deplores attack on UN-African Union peacekeepers in Darfur

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned today the ambush by an unidentified group on a United Nations-African Union patrol in Sudan's Darfur region that led to the death of a Nigerian peacekeeper and the wounding of three others.

The attack on the joint UN-AU peacekeeping force (UNAMID) took place near Saleah, Eastern State of Darfur.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban urged the Government of Sudan to carry out a speedy investigation and to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The Secretary-General also expressed his condolences to the Government of Nigeria and to the family of the fallen peacekeeper.

The head of UNAMID, Ibrahim Gambari, also condemned the attack and stressed that it constitutes a war crime.

Mr. Gambari, in a message issued by his spokesperson, committed the Mission to work closely with Sudanese authorities in order to apprehend the perpetrators as fast as possible.

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