19 October 2012, Sweetcrude/African Press Organization (APO), ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The Commission of the African Union (AU) strongly condemns the criminal attack against a patrol of peacekeepers of the African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on 17 October 2012, near Hashaba, North Darfur.
The ambush by unidentified armed assailants led to the death of one South African peacekeeper, while three other members of the patrol sustained injuries. The patrol, consisting of military, police and civilian personnel, was on its way to Hashaba to assess the situation following recent reports of violence in the area.
Noting that this heinous criminal act is the second in just one month, the Commission calls on the Government of Sudan to conduct a full investigation into the attack and to spare no efforts in swiftly bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The Commission presents the AU’s heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased peacekeeper, the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa, as well as to UNAMID. It wishes speedy recovery to the wounded peacekeepers.
