Addis Ababa, 29 September 2015: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has learnt with great shock the attack by unidentified armed men on a logistic and administrative escort of the AU-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), in North Darfur, on 27 September 2015, killing one South African peacekeeper and injuring four other uniformed peacekeepers.

The Chairperson of the Commission condemns in the strongest terms this attack, and calls on the Government of Sudan to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. She stresses the fact that attacks on peacekeepers constitute war crimes, and further reminds all the parties to the Darfur conflict of their obligation to respect the integrity of UNAMID.

 

The Chairperson of the Commission extends the AU's deepest condolences to the Government of South Africa and the family of the brave peacekeeper who fell while defending the cause of peace in Darfur. She also wishes the four injured peacekeepers a full and speedy recovery.

 

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the continued AU’s support for UNAMID and urges all parties to the conflict in Darfur to seriously engage in efforts to achieve lasting peace through negotiations and end the suffering of the people of Darfur.

COMMENTS