Un-African Union Peacekeeper Killed In Line of Duty in South Darfur
New York, Aug 12 2012 - A peacekeeper with the United Nations-African Union mission (UNAMID) was killed today and
another injured while protecting civilians in Nyala, South Darfur.
"The attack on our peacekeepers is cowardly deplorable and our thoughts go to the families and friends of the fallen and
the injured," said the acting Joint Special Representative Aichatou Mindaoudou, stressing that this act constitutes a
war crime under international law.
According to a news release issued by UNAMID, the peacekeeper, who was a member of Bangladesh's Formed Police Unit, lost
his life at approximately 3:15 a.m., when a gang surrounded and fired at the staff in the mission's community policing
centre inside the Otash camp for internally displaced persons.
The armed men reportedly fled after the police unit returned fire.
Ms. Mindaoudou called on the Government of Sudan to continue to make serious efforts to apprehend the culprits and bring
them to justice.
UNAMID is tasked with protecting civilians, promoting an inclusive peace process and helping ensure the safe delivery of
humanitarian assistance across Darfur, an arid region on Sudan's western flank.
Since the initial deployment of the mission on 31 December 2007, 38 peacekeepers have been killed as a result of hostile
actions.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS