UN envoy condemns killing of deminers in southern Sudan
Nov 1, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — UN special representative for Sudan, Jan Pronk, condemned Tuesday killing of two deminers in an ambush allegedly perpetrated in southern Sudan by militants of the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) from neighboring Uganda.
A statement issued by the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said that the two killed on Monday were from the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), a company contracted by the World Food Programme.
According to preliminary reports, the deminers were driving along the Juba-Nimule road in a three-vehicle convoy from FSD.
The victims were in the lead vehicle when they were stopped by armed men and taken out of the vehicle and killed.
Preliminary reports indicated that two soldiers from the Sudanese Armed forces were also wounded during the attack.
“Pronk expresses his outrage at this cowardly attack that jeopardizes the UN and partners efforts in clearing vital roads to ensure the safety of returnees and pave the way for economic reconstruction of southern Sudan,” the statement said.
Pronk urged a speedy investigation into the incident, calling for bringing the perpetrators to justice.
He called on the Sudanese government and the authority in southern Sudan to exert every effort to ensure safety of all humanitarian workers and contain armed groups still active in southern Sudan, including the LRA.
(Xinhua/ST)