One African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) peacekeeper died and three others were injured in an ambush that took place at 10.00 a.m. on 17 October, approximately 10 kilometres from Hashaba North, North Darfur.

The incident occurred while a UNAMID convoy was on its way from Kutum to Hashaba North, 56 kilometres northeast of Kutum, to assess the situation  following recent reports of violence in that area.  Today's mission, which consisted of military, police and civilian personnel, followed an initial UNAMID assessment mission on 3 October.

UNAMID personnel, who came under a combination of automatic and mortar fire by unidentified assailants, had returned fire.

"I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the second criminal attack on our brave peacekeepers in the course of this month, during which we have lost five peacekeepers. These attacks will not shake our resolve to fulfil our mandate and help the people of Darfur," said Acting Joint Special Representative and Joint Chief Mediator a.i., Ms. Aichatou S. Mindaoudou. "I call on the Government of Sudan to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice," she added.

Since the initial deployment of UNAMID on 31 December 2007, 43 peacekeepers have been killed as a result of hostile actions.