AU convoys condolences to Rwanda over lost soldier in Darfur
Oct 26, 2005 (KIGALI) — The African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) has regretted and conveyed condolences to the Rwandan government, the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and the family of Cpl David Niyonsaba, who died in a road traffic in Sudan’s Darfur region.
He is the first Rwandan soldier to die while on a peacekeeping mission in Darfur, where until his death Rwanda had a contingent of 1,756 soldiers.
Cpl David Niyonsaba of the 105 Battalion died in hospital on October 20, after sustaining fatal injuries in a road accident in El Fasher, northern Darfur region.
The RDF Head of Research and Development Lt-Col Charles Karamba told The Kigali based New Times that the army will follow up insurance procedures in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Rwanda and the Africa Union.
“Definitely, the package has to be proportional with the effect of any injuries to the soldier,” Karamba said.
He dismissed speculation that the deceased died in an ambush. “Niyonsaba died in a road traffic accident not an ambush; there are no ambush cases in the area where the Rwandan contingent is operating,” Karamba told the press.
The death of Niyonsaba comes barely days after the death of two soldiers of the Nigerian contingent in Darfur, and two civilian contractors, who were ambushed by unidentified militia near the town of Nyala in the South Darfur region.
(New Times/ST)