US Condemns Killing of AU Peacekeepers in Sudan

Press Statement
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 1, 2007

United States Condemns Killing of African Union Peacekeepers in Sudan

We condemn the September 29-30 attack on the African Union Mission in Sudan's (AMIS) base camp at Haskanita in Darfur that killed at least 10 African peacekeepers and left many more injured and missing. Our sympathy goes out to the families and colleagues of those affected by this attack.

We deplore all acts of violence in Sudan and call for a full investigation of this attack. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.

We remain concerned by recent reports that neither rebel factions nor the Government of Sudan are adhering to a ceasefire and we call on all parties to cease hostilities immediately. We are prepared to apply additional sanctions against those who target civilians or peacekeepers, and those who block the political process.

The conflict in Darfur will only be solved by a negotiated peace settlement. We urge all parties to fully participate in the peace process under the leadership of the United Nations and African Union.

We commend the hard work of the African Union's peacekeepers since their first deployment in 2004, and call for the rapid deployment of the UN's heavy support package and the hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping force, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1769.

ENDS

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