Secretary-General strongly condemns attack on African peacekeepers in darfur

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent attack on African Union peacekeepers in Haskanita, South Darfur, and calls for the perpetrators to be held fully accountable for this outrageous act.

The African Union reports that 10 personnel from the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) have been killed, several more have been wounded and many more are missing following the shocking and brutal assault on the AMIS peacekeepers.

The Secretary-General offers his condolences to the families of those killed.  He calls on all parties to immediately end the violence and recommit as a matter of the highest priority to a peaceful resolution to the conflict as the Government and rebel movements prepare for peace talks in Libya on 27 October, and as the African Union and United Nations prepare to deploy a joint peace operation in Darfur.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record