UNAMID peacekeepers ambushed in Darfur

March 22, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – Two soldiers from the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) were seriously injured after being ambushed during a return trip from escort duties near the capital of West Darfur.

The mission said in a statement that the incident took place in Masteri, a village 45 km south of El-Geniena. The driver and a peacekeeper had their vehicles fired on by unidentified men.

The nationalities of the peacekeepers were not released.

UNAMID chief Ibrahim Gambari said he was outraged by the “cowardly attack” against the peacekeepers while the mission called on the Sudanese government to bring the perpetrators to justice stressing that the force is in the restive region “to help restore peace and stability”.

“UNAMID remains undaunted and unwavering in its commitment to carrying out its mandate in the service of peace. UNAMID calls upon the Government of the Sudan to identify, capture and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The United Nations estimates that as many as 300,000 people have died in Darfur’s humanitarian crisis, sparked by a brutal counter-insurgency campaign in 2003 to quell rebels demanding more of a share in wealth and power.

More than 2 million were driven from their homes and the International Criminal Court (ICC) last year issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes and genocide in Darfur.

Two rebel figures will face trial at the ICC for their alleged role in attacking African peacekeepers who were part of the force that preceded UNAMID.

Several members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have been critical of UNAMID’s performance over a number of incidents where it failed to properly discharge its mandate.

UNAMID reports have noted a rise in attacks against its personnel as well as humanitarian groups operating in Darfur.

(ST)