Peacekeepers killed in Darfur

Sudan’s official news agency says five peacekeepers from an African Union-United Nations force have been killed and 17 others are missing after they were ambushed in Darfur.

The agency is quoting an unidentified official from the joint force as saying the peacekeepers were attacked while on patrol yesterday in northern Darfur.

The report says 18 members were also wounded.

The SUNA agency said the peacekeepers were attacked by a convoy of gunmen riding in 40 4x4 vehicles.

Ten UN-AU vehicles were destroyed in the attack, the agency said.

Among those killed, three were from Rwanda, one from Ghana and one from Uganda, SUNA said. It did not give details about the gunmen.

The joint UN-AU force took over peacekeeping duties in Darfur earlier this year with about 9,000 soldiers and police officers.

It is authorised to have 26,000 members, but has contended with chronic shortages of staff and equipment and less-than-adequate cooperation from the Sudanese government.

The peacekeeping force has been unable to persuade the US and other governments to supply attack and transport helicopters, surveillance aircraft, military engineers and logistical support it needs to safely navigate Sudan’s remote western Darfur region.

Last month, four UN-AU staffers were assaulted and held at gunpoint in Darfur. One of the staffers was stripped of his belongings, kidnapped briefly and then released by Arab militiamen on horseback, according to a statement from the joint force

The UN has warned of rising banditry and insecurity in Darfur. Attackers killed an Ugandan peacekeeper in May.