Brussels, 05/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU condemns in the strongest terms the attack against UNAMID peacekeepers (African Union/United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur) on 2 October, which left four Nigerian peacekeepers dead and eight others wounded in an ambush in El Geneina (West Darfur). This message was given in the evening of Thursday 4 October by the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.
“The High Representative is deeply concerned about the recent increase in serious security incidents in Darfur. (…) She strongly condemns the attack and calls on the Government of Sudan to work closely with UNAMID to bring the perpetrators to justice. She extends her sincere condolences to the relatives and colleagues of the victims”, the statement says. Ashton is also alarmed at the reports of an aeriel bombardment at Hashaba in North Darfur which has cost the lives of civilians.
She also calls on the Sudanese authorities to give UNAMID “immediate access to the area and urges all parties to end the cycle of violence in Darfur and to pursue a comprehensive and inclusive peace settlement”. (AN/transl.fl)