Ban Ki-moon condemns attack on AU peacekeepers in Darfur

September 30, 2007 (UNITED NATIONS) — Condemning in the strongest possible terms the recent attack in Haskanita, South Darfur, which killed some 10 African Union (AU) peacekeepers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for those responsible to be brought to justice for the “outrageous” act.

According to AU reports, personnel from the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) have also been wounded and many are missing following yesterday’s “shocking and brutal assault,” Mr. Ban said in a statement.

He offered his condolences to the families of those who were killed, and called “on all parties to recommit as a matter of the highest priority to a peaceful resolution to the conflict as the Government and rebel movements prepare for peace talks in Libya on 27 October and as the African Union and United Nations prepare to deploy a joint peace operation in Darfur.”

The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) also decried the incident, which it characterized as “unprovoked and barbaric,” by an armed group.

“UNMIS is shocked at the unprecedented scale of the attack,” it noted in a statement issued today.

The Mission also reiterated that “attacks on AMIS constitute a serious violation of international law and relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the African Union and urges all concerned to assist in identifying the perpetrators so they could be held accountable without delay.”

(UN News Center)