Security Council condemns ‘in strongest terms’ attack on peacekeepers in Darfur

The Security Council today condemned “in the strongest terms” an attack on peacekeepers in West Darfur, Sudan, in which four were wounded, one of whom subsequently died as a result of wounds sustained in the attack.

According to the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), which the peacekeepers had been serving with, a formed police unit (FPU) patrol from Togo was attacked by unidentified gunmen on 20 April just before noon, while on a routine patrol.

The team of 32 officers had been patrolling in an internally displaced persons camp and were returning to their base camp when men armed with AK-47 rifles attacked them, wounding two peacekeepers. In the ensuing clash, which also involved an UNAMID rescue unit, another two peacekeepers were wounded.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the family of the peacekeeper killed in the attack, as well as to the Government of Togo,” Ambassador Susan Rice of the United States, which holds the Council’s presidency this month, said in a press statement.

“They called on the Government of Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice and stressed that there must be an end to impunity for those who attack peacekeepers.”

Amb. Rice added that Council members reiterated their full support for UNAMID and called on all parties in Darfur to co-operate with the AU-UN mission.