Sudan confirms arrest of suspect involved in killing of UNAMID peacekeepers
January 1, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The security authorities in Sudan’s South Darfur state have announced arrest of one of the suspects in the killing of two peacekeepers from the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and affirmed identifying the rest of the suspects.
Following the death of two peacekeepers from Jordan and Senegal on 29 December, the hybrid mission said that two of their killers were detained by the local security forces.
However, the special prosecutor for Darfur crimes, Yasser Ahmed Mohamed, announced arrest of one suspect and killing of another, pointing that accusers are facing charges of murder, terrorism, and possession of illegal weapons and ammunition.
He asserted the government keenness to follow and capture all those who undermine people’s security.
The UN Security Council condemned “in the strongest terms” the attack, calling on the Sudanese government “swiftly to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice”.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned “this cowardly attack on UNAMID peacekeepers”, and expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and to the Jordanian and Senegalese governments.
Last October, the chief of Darfur peacekeeping forces, Mohamed Ibn Shambas, told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that the security situation in Darfur, as well as threats to peacekeeping force UNAMID and humanitarian personnel remain a serious concern.
Darfur has been a flashpoint for lawlessness and violence since rebel movements took up arms against the Khartoum government in 2003.
The United Nations estimates as many as 300,000 people have been killed and almost 3 million people have been displaced during the ongoing conflict in the region, however, the Sudanese government put the number of dead at only 10,000.
(ST)