United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan on alert after ambush
The new joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region (UNAMID) was on high alert today after one of its supply convoys was ambushed last night in an area that has seen violent clashes between the Government and rebels.
UNAMID did not return fire, and no casualties were incurred, during the attack on the re-supply mission between Um Baru, Tine and Kulbus in West Darfur, an area where the force’s air operations have been restricted due to the security concerns.
But initial reports suggest that a Sudanese civilian driver was shot seven times and is in critical condition. He has already been evacuated from the site and brought to UNAMID headquarters in El Fasher. A diesel truck and a UNAMID armed personnel carrier were damaged.
“UNAMID is currently maintaining a high state of alert,” the force said in a statement. “Investigation of the incident is underway and the UNAMID leadership is in direct consultations and discussion with Sudanese authorities in Khartoum and El Fasher over the matter.”
UNAMID formally took over from an African Union mission just last week in a bid to bring peace to Darfur, a region the size of France where more than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.2 million others forced to flee their homes since fighting began in 2003 between Government forces and rebel groups.
But, with only 9,000 armed personnel, the force is critically under strength. With a mandated total of some 26,000 troops and police it would be the UN’s largest peacekeeping operation, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has repeatedly appealed to Member States to speed up delivery of vital units and equipment, including helicopters.
You must be logged in to post a comment.