Britain condemns killing of 5 African peacekeepers in darfur

April 3, 2007 (LONDON) — British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman, has condemned the killing of five African Union (AU) soldiers in Darfur.

“These tragic deaths bring home the reality of the risks that African Union soldiers are facing when they deploy to such troubled regions as peace-keepers. My deepest condolences go out to the families of the soldiers killed.” Lord Triesman said.

“This is the second time within one month that AU troops have been killed as they work to protect the citizens of Darfur, and I condemn the armed groups involved in these attacks.” He added.

On April 1, a convoy of African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) soldiers came under attack; the resulting fight left five Senegalese soldiers. This comes against a backdrop of increased targeting and attacks upon both AMIS personnel. Two AMIS soldiers were killed on 5 March by armed groups suspected to be of the group Sudan Liberation Army of Minni Minawi.

He called on all parties in Darfur conflict to stop fighting immediately and said that the AU Ceasefire commission should probe the incident in order to bring responsible to the justice.

The UK has been a leading supporter of AMIS since its inception, providing over £65m to support its operations.

(ST)