As we all witness from the news, it was a deadly day for UN-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on 8 July. At approximately 2:45p.m. local time, a UNAMID joint police and military patrol was ambushed by unidentified militia between Gusa Jamat and Wadah, 100 km east of Shangil Tobayi, North Darfur.
The attackers used heavy weapons and engaged the UNAMID convoy in an exchange of fire for more than two hours. Seven peacekeepers were killed and 22 were wounded, seven of them critically.
A statement issued by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson said the Secretary-General has condemned in the strongest possible terms “this unacceptable act of extreme violence against AU-UN peacekeepers in Darfur” and called on the “Government of Sudan to do its utmost to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly identified and brought to justice.”
Other than The Secretary-General, we all expressed the deepest condolences to the families of the peacekeepers who lost their lives, and reiterated the greatest appreciation for their “service, valour and commitment to the search for peace in Darfur”.
I remember during my service while assigned in Nyala, Sudan back in 2006 under UNMIS. Situation on the ground was really sadenning. It is the people that suffers out of this conflict. It has been a great concerns that all parties to respect their agreements, to redouble their efforts to ensure the safety and integrity of the peacekeeping force and reach a comprehensive settlement to the crisis in Darfur as soon as possible.
Tuesday’s attack was the deadliest on international forces in Darfur since September 2007, when 10 peacekeepers were killed in an assault on a base. The attack has dealt a severe blow to the UNAMID peacekeeping force that has struggled to protect civilians and itself.
Personally, I pray that the situation there in Darfur will get better soon, as commerades from the Indonesian Military Observer working at the neighbouring mission of UNMIS would also be at risk.
Having said the above, I would welcome suggestions from you on ways to solve this conflict. Feel free to share your comments at the comment links below. Thanks.
Note: Related images are taken from various sources, and copyrights of images are respective of the owner.
All the rebels of the world fight for their cause by any means necessary and so does the governments. There are so many examples for rebels escapades eg the IRA and the Kumeir Rouge and the list is long. It seems that they only rebels who are angles are Darfur rebles, and the reason is that the white world is trying to look good by supporting those poor helpless blacks. Although I my self is anti-regime in Sudan but thoses rebels are not angles, what they did in Omdurman and the dozens of young boys they drove to the battlefield are evidence that they are using the same means that is used by the government. So the attack on UMIMD may have been carried by the rebels themselves. We want justice but not the whiteman’s justice.
Its really a sad news. Well, i hope things will get better in Darfur. I pray so. I also hope all of the peacekeepers will be okay.
Ganbarreyo minna…
My deepest condolences goes to all the people who died on those mission. They are honoured, strong and great people who served for peace and humanity. This entry reminds me the clashes in November 2006 where took 300 hundreds more lives over Malakal, Southern Sudan. Being part of that event and still alive are the greatest gift from God.
All parties must talk, talk, talk, and commit how to make a better solution without blood dripped down.
Go peacekeepers!
wah mun ieu yeh urang teu ngarti…mun sundaan karak ngarti mas..wakakakak
ngomongkeun naon mas..translet please…!