Darfur / UNAMID Media Brief

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, February 29, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- UNAMID Media Brief /29 February 2012

UNAMID peacekeeper killed in ambush in South Darfur

An ambush today by unknown gunmen on an African Union – United Nations Mission (UNAMID) patrol in South Darfur has left one peacekeeper dead and three injured.

The incident, in which the peacekeepers returned fire, took place at approximately 16:00 hours near Shearia town, located roughly 90 kilometres northeast of Nyala, South Darfur.

When further information is available, it will be communicated.

UK Minister, delegation focus on humanitarian development in Darfur

Officials of the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) lead by Stephen O'Brien, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, today visited Darfur to a gain a first-hand assessment of the humanitarian situation.

The delegation used the occasion to listen to the needs of representatives at the Abou Shok internally displaced persons camp, assess the return process and to meet with the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur and the chairperson of the Darfur Regional Authority to discuss future cooperation. Briefings were later provided by the humanitarian community and by senior officials of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

The day concluded with a visit to the Golo reservoir, located near El Fasher, North Darfur. The reservoir is one of several projects in which DFID has funded as part of a water resource management plan to benefit the people of Darfur.

“The signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) last year has opened the door for the international community to begin to take a closer look at early recovery and development in the region. This is an important step in bringing about peace,” said UNAMID Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari.