Always be ready, Says AU Acting Force Commander

AFRICAN UNION

Nov 30, 2005 (EL-FASHER) — Brigadier General JB Kazura, the Acting Force Commander today, 30 November, 2005, told a somber gathering of AMIS personnel, who yesterday, 29 November, at 1530hrs run into an ambush, allegedly staged by unidentified men between the village of Salea and their camp at Kulbus in western Darfur as they drove back from investigative patrol, that his visit was aimed at demonstrating support and solidarity with them following the ghastly incident, adding that they are not alone.

The General who was accompanied by senior officers of the Force Headquarters and Representatives of the US Government serving their tours of duty in AMIS urged his listeners to be ready all the time when on duty in the field as such episodes could repeat themselves over and over again since the perpetrators are unknown.

He commended them for their courageous stance and show of unity as a group in the face of such an unprovoked attack, and in this connection informed them that their four wounded colleagues in the ambush who had been evacuated to Force Headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur, for medical attention were in a stable condition and improving.

On arrival, General Kazura was briefed by officers who said that the group of bandits had escaped into nearby Chad taking with them one AMIS vehicle, 9 M16 Rifles, 0ne Automatic Pistol and one M60 Rifle.

The Sector Commander of the Senegalese Contingent which formed the bulk of the ambush victims expressed profound gratitude and thanks to Force Headquarters personnel for the swift and timely assistance offered to the wounded, adding that the attackers numbered from 20 t0 30 people.