Death of Peacekeepers in Darfur

Death of Peacekeepers in Darfur

Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 15, 2013

On Sunday morning, unidentified gunmen attacked and killed three Senegalese peacekeepers participating in the joint United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). One other peacekeeper from Senegal was injured. This attack comes just two days after a Zambian peacekeeper was brutally killed in a neighboring region of Darfur and brings to 13 the number of UNAMID peacekeepers killed this year.

The United States strongly condemns unlawful acts against UNAMID personnel and calls on the Sudanese government to immediately investigate these malicious attacks and hold the perpetrators to account. On behalf of the American people, we express our deep condolences to the Governments of Senegal and Zambia, and to the families of the victims.

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; this is more than the total number of newly displaced persons in Darfur over the past two years combined. We call on the Sudanese Government and all rebel groups to engage without preconditions in an effective and inclusive political process to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

ENDS

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