Kigali — The African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) has regretted and conveyed condolences to the Rwandan government, RDF and the family of Corporal David Niyonsaba, the first Rwandan soldier to die while on a peacekeeping mission in Darfur, where until his death Rwanda had a contingent of 1,756 soldiers.

The Rwandan Defence Forces Chief of General Staff Gen. James Kabarebe(extreme left), the Chiefs of Staff of the Infantry and Airforce Lieutenant Generals Charles Kayonga(C) and Charles Muhire(R) salute the casket containing the body of RDF's Corporal David Niyonsaba. Cpl.Niyonsaba is the first soldier of RDF to die while serving under the Africa Union banner in the troubled Darfur region in the Sudan . (Photo/G.Barya)

Cpl David Niyonsaba of the 105 Battalion died in hospital on October 20, after sustaining fatal injuries in a road accident in El Fasher, northern Darfur region.

"All of us at the African Union Mission in the Sudan convey our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and to the bereaved family of our late colleague," reads the condolence message.

Niyonsaba's body was flown back home on Monday and received at the Kigali International Airport in a somber atmosphere by the top army brass led by the Chief of General Staff, Gen. James Kabarebe.

"I have brought a condolence message to the Rwandan government. David was involved in a traffic accident, endured severe injuries in the brain and later died in the hospital," said Abia Udoh, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, AMIS who accompanied the deceased's body.

In the message addressed to Dr Charles Murigande, Minister of Foreign Affairs, AMIS further assured Rwandans that the deceased greatly contributed to the peacekeeping endeavors in the Sudan.

"During his deployment with AMIS, the deceased soldier distinguished himself among his colleagues, with his pleasant attitude, enthusiastic approach to duty and excellent performance," the message read in part.

According to AMIS, Niyonsaba will be remembered by colleagues and friends as a "gallant and brilliant" soldier.

The RDF Head of Research and Development Lt. Col. Charles Karamba told The New Times that the army will follow up insurance procedures in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Rwanda and the Africa Union.

"Definitely, the package has to be proportional with the effect of any injuries to the soldier," Karamba said.

He dismissed speculation that the deceased died in an ambush. "Niyonsaba died in a road traffic accident not an ambush; there are no ambush cases in the area where the Rwandan contingent is operating," Karamba told the press.

The death of Niyonsaba comes barely days after the death of two soldiers of the Nigerian contingent in Darfur, and two civilian contractors, who were ambushed by unidentified militia near the town of Nyala in the South Darfur region.