Concern at UN troop deaths in Darfur

THE US on Tuesday expressed concern about security in Darfur after three Senegalese peacekeepers were killed and another injured in an ambush in West Darfur on Sunday.

The US strongly condemned the acts against the joint United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission (Unamid) in Darfur, state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

“We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating security, human rights, and humanitarian situation in Darfur, which has resulted in the forcible displacement of over 300,000 persons this year,” Ms Psaki said.

The US also called on the Sudanese government to immediately investigate the attacks and hold the perpetrators to account.

The peacekeepers died when a water convoy they were escorting was ambushed, Unamid said. The convoy was travelling from El Geneina town to the Unamid regional headquarters in West Darfur, the operation said.

The Sudanese military pursued the unidentified armed attackers and engaged them “in a fire fight”, according to Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Unamid’s joint special representative.

“Such incidents are a reminder to all of us of the great price everyone pays in the absence of peace. Our peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to bring peace to Darfur,” he said.