Ban condemns killing of UN peacekeeper in North Darfur

UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Saturday condemned the killing of a UN peacekeeper from Rwanda in Sudan's North Darfur region following a failed mediation attempt between two groups of armed men.

"The secretary-general condemns the killing of a Rwandan peacekeeper this morning in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, following a failed mediation attempt between two groups of armed men, believed to be Arab and Fur tribesmen," said a statement issued here by Ban 's spokesman.

"Three more peacekeepers were injured and are being treated in UNAMID facilities," said the statement, referring to medical facilities run by the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur.

The incident took place in Kabkabiya some 140 kilometers west of El Fasher, the North Darfur state capital.

"The secretary-general conveys his sincere condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and the government of Rwanda and his wishes for a full and speedy recovery of those injured," the statement added.

A total of 58 peacekeepers have died in hostile action since the formation of the UNAMID mission more than six years ago. UNAMID members have increasingly become a target of violence which has worsened in Darfur over the past 18 months.

There were 16 fatal attacks against the peacekeepers last year, resulting in "significant loss of vehicles, weapons and ammunition, " said the secretary-general in his February report to the UN Security Council.