Gunmen attack UNAMID compound in West Darfur

April 1, 2009 (AL-FASHER) — Unknown gunmen yesterday broke into one of Darfur peacekeeping mission in western Darfur attempting to steal two UNAMID vehicles.

The two men asked the key of two vehicles parked in the UNAMID compound in Mournei, 80 kms from the capital El Geneina, West Darfur.

However, the peacekeeper at the guest house escaped without suffering any injuries and was able to report the incident to Sudanese police. The bandits got away with a VHF hand held radio and DVD player.
Since the issuance of an arrest warrant against President Omer Al-Bashir on March 4, the members of the hybrid African Union-United Nations peacekeeping operation in Darfur have been attacked several times.

One peacekeeper was killed on March 17 near Nyala, South Darfur, during an attack against a UNMAID patrol. Also, gunmen carjacked two peacekeeping vehicles one on March 11 in El Fasher, North Darfur and the other in Nyala.

Government officials reiterated Sudan’s commitment to protect the two UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan saying they would not face retaliatory attacks if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues a warrant for the arrest of Sudan’s president.

Meanwhile, in South Darfur, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Susana Malcorra, today travelled to the capital of South Darfur Nyala to pay a courtesy visit on the state Governor, during which they discussed issues related to the joint AU-UN mission.

The governor indicated that his government had approved land for UNAMID in South Darfur and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to cooperate with the peacekeeping operation.

Ms. Malcorra also met with UNAMID officials and toured the peacekeepers’ facilities, including the Pakistan Level III hospital where she was briefed on the progress of construction work underway.

(ST)