United States Condemns Killing of African Union Troops (08/22)

August 22, 2006
No. 27/06

Washington (August 21)- The United States Government condemns the attack by unknown assailants on August 19, 2006, that killed two African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) soldiers and wounded several others, said Acting State Department Spokesman, Gonzalo R. Gallego, on Monday.

The U.S. has called on the Sudanese government to cooperate fully with AMIS, to arrest those who participated in the attack, and prosecute them.  They have also called upon all groups in Darfur to refrain from violent attacks, recognize their responsibilities, and abide by the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and the N’djamena Cease-Fire Agreement. 

This violence is another indication of the lack of security that exists in Darfur, which continues to result in the deaths of innocent civilians and aid workers and hinders the distribution of life-saving humanitarian assistance to areas of Darfur.

The U.S. is working with its international partners at the UN Security Council to finalize the resolution for the UN peacekeeping force in Darfur, consistent with the African Union’s request.  The UN force must deploy without delay.  Only a large, mobile, fast-reacting, and robust UN force, with African Union forces forming its core and to include Africans in key leadership positions, is capable of:  stopping the fighting; protecting civilians and humanitarian workers; allowing for continued and full implementation of the DPA; and providing a safe and secure environment wherein internally displaced persons and refugees of Darfur can return to their homes.

The United States calls on the government of Sudan to do its part to enable this transition to move forward.

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