The African Union (AU) on Thursday demanded a prompt
investigation into the recent killing in Darfur region of five
Senegalese soldiers of the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS), in order to
identify the culprits and bring them to justice.
In a communique issued after the 75th meeting of the AU Peace
and Security Council, the pan-African body expressed shock and
outrage at the incident.
The killing of the five Senegalese soldiers guarding a watering
point along the Chadian border on Sunday was the bloodiest attack
against AMIS.
It brought to 15 the number of AU personnel killed since AMIS
was deployed in 2004.
In the communique, it demanded both the signatories of the
Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and the non-signatories full
cooperation with AMIS and the humanitarian agencies, and create
conducive conditions on the ground, including guaranteeing the
security and safety of their personnel, equipment and assets.
The AU also expressed concern on the restrictions on AMIS troops
and AMIS troop movement, according to the communique.
It stressed the need for a robust peacekeeping operation, saying
the strengthening of AMIS could not be implemented due to the lack
of financial and logistical support.
(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2007)
