Consequences for AMIS Attackers

PANA—Outraged by the rebel attack that left 10 personnel of the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission dead and 10 others wounded in South Darfur Saturday, AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare has said the assailants will bear the consequences of the heinous act.

While investigation is already under way to identify the attackers, suspected to be rebels in the restive western region of Sudan, Konare said Monday the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS) was monitoring the situation.

As a result of the unprovoked attack on an AMIS camp in Haskanita, South Darfur, several other personnel of the peacekeeping force were reported missing.

The attack occurred at a time when the AU is preparing to convene peace talks involving all parties to the four-year Darfur conflict in Tripoli, Libya, 27 Oct. 2007.

“This heinous and cowardly act will not deter the determination and commitment of the AU to bring about lasting peace and alleviate the suffering of the people in Darfur,” Konare said in a statement.

According to the statement, the AU chief has expressed condolences to “the families of the gallant men and women who fell, and salutes AMIS troops and personnel who continue to carry out their mission under difficult circumstances.”

Meanwhile, the AU and the United Nations are finalizing preparations for deployment of a joint Hybrid Operation in Darfur with enhanced capacity to enforce peace in accordance with Resolution 1769 of the UN Security Council.

When deployed, the 26,000-strong hybrid force, comprising 20,000 troops and 6,000 police personnel, will be the largest peacekeeping mission in the world.

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