Darfur Peacekeeper dies in road traffic accident

June 11, 2009 (EL-FASHER) — The joint UN and African Union mission in Darfur says one of its peacekeepers died during a road traffic accident in the South Darfur capital of Nyala yesterday while on official duty.

A statement by the peacekeepers says the military officer died Thursday in the Mission hospital. An investigation is ongoing, the UNAMID said.

He died peacekeeper was part of a confidence-building patrol. During the return to the mussuib, he fell from the team’s vehicle while it was on the move, about 5 km from Force Operating Base in Nyala.

The officer was not identified by name or nationality.

“Particulars of the deceased are being withheld at the moment until next of kin is notified,” said the peacekeeping mission .

The peacekeeping force has been in Darfur for more than a year. Since, at least a dozen peacekeepers have been killed in different attacks.

(ST)