Two missing peacekeepers return safe to their base in Darfur

March 7, 2010 (EL FASHER) — The two missing peacekeepers in South Darfur have returned safely to their base with the assistance of local population, the hybrid operation announced today.

The two soldiers were part of a 60 stronghold patrol dispatched to Deribat by the UNAMID to assess humanitarian and security situation following reports about clashes between the Sudanese army and rebel SLA led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur in the mountainous area of Jebel Marra that displaced thousands of civilians.

The assessment team composed of protection elements, UNAMID police and military observers had been ambushed on Friday March 5 by a big number of unknown armed men and released on Saturday. The assailants robbed the vehicles, equipments, personals belongings and money.

A peacekeeper was shot in the head by the attackers during the ambush but was saved by his helmet and only suffered a minor injury, the UNAMID further disclosed today.

“The two UNAMID soldiers were able to evade capture at the time of the ambush and escaped, trekking over long distances at night in the desert, attempting to return to their team site,” the peacekeeping mission said in a statement.

The mission also said that the two missing peacekeepers were helped by locals in Jebel Marra to return their base, stressing they also facilitated them to contact a UNAMID team at Kass, South Darfur, at midday.

The two peacekeepers, which had been collected by a Search and Rescue patrol, were found suffering from dehydration and received the appropriate medical attention.

However the mission remains discreet over the identity of the unidentified men.

According to the SOFA signed in February 2008, Sudanese government is responsible of the security and protection of UNAMID peacekeeping personnel and their assets.

Following the release of two civilian personnel in December 2009, Sudanese government and the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur signed a protocol including additional safety measures to ensure the security of the peacekeepers working in the restive region.

(ST)