Statement by AU Ceasefire Commission on killing of AMIS Civpol monitor

Reprint of 1 Feb 2007 AU press statement (via The DARFUR Blog):

AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE
UNIAO AFRICANA
Headquarters Ceasefire Commission African Union Mission in SudanEl-Fasher SudanFax: +249-731-831457, e-mail: aucfc2005@yahoo.com

Press Statement by the AU Ceasefire Commission on the killing of an AMIS Civpol monitor

The AU Ceasefire Commission is shocked by the news of the killing of an AMIS CIVPOL monitor who was shot dead today 1 February 2007 by unknown gunmen who snatched the AMIS vehicle in which the officer with two other colleagues were riding in.

The Ceasefire Commission condemns the shooting of the officer who was unarmed and performing his normal patrol duty in an IDP camp at the time.

It is to be recalled that on 10 December 2006 an AMIS military officer was abducted along with his vehicle by unknown persons and has not been found to date. Also, on 22 December 2006 and on 26 January 2007 AMIS vehicles were hijacked by unknown persons.

AMIS is calling on the perpetrators to desist from such ruthless acts and is strongly appealing to them to handover the officer unconditionally and return the vehicles they have snatched without further delay.

Once again the AU Ceasefire Commission would like to remind the perpetrators that AMIS is here to help Sudan make peace and is not part of the conflict in Darfur.

El Fasher, 1 February 2007