UN chief condemns killing of Zambian peacekeeper in Darfur
October 12, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations secretary-general has condemned the killing of a Zambian military observer from the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) after an attack by unidentified armed assailants on Saturday in Sudan’s Darfur region.
The military observer died after an attack in North Darfur capital El Fasher, the UN said.
“The secretary-general expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the fallen peacekeeper, the Government of Zambia and to all UNAMID personnel,” the statement read in part.
The incident comes barely four months after seven Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed and 17 injured in what was described as the worst-ever single attack in the troubled region since 2007.
Established by the UN Security Council (UNSC) in 2007, UNAMID is in charge of the protection of civilians and contributing to security for humanitarian assistance in Darfur, where fighting between rebel groups, government forces and allied militia has led to the deaths of an estimated 300,000 people and displaced nearly two million since 2003.
Over 16,000 UNAMID peacekeepers are currently based in Darfur.
(ST)