This morning, shortly after 0700, a United Nations staff member living and working in Kandahar was shot dead while on his way to work, apparently by men on a motorbike.
Mr. Sadequllah, 38, was a driver for UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. He had been with the UN for 15 years, and was a loyal and much respected colleague. I am greatly saddened by his death, which is a loss to all of us. I have sent my condolences to his family.
The motives for this attack need to be established, and we are working with the authorities in Kandahar to help the investigation. The safety and well-being of those Afghan and international staff who work for the UN in Afghanistan is a matter of paramount importance to us. We will spare no effort to ensure that Sadequllah's murderers are found and properly brought to account.