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Sudan

Statement attributable to the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Mr. Peter de Clercq

Khartoum, 22 January 2012. The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Mr. Peter de Clercq, has expressed his profound shock at the attack on peacekeepers serving with the United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on 21 January 2012, which left one peacekeeper dead and three others seriously wounded.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms this pointless act of violence aimed at peacekeepers who are working to protect civilians and create a more peaceful, stable Darfur," said Mr. de Clercq.

The incident took place when a UNAMID patrol was ambushed by unknown gunmen 60 kilometres northwest of Ed Deain, in East Darfur State.

Mr. de Clercq expressed his sincere condolences for the family of the peacekeeper who was killed and called on the Government of Sudan to carry out a full investigation into the incident and to ensure that those responsible are apprehended and tried in a court of law.