Bandits attack uNAMID police officers

April 11, 2008

        The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy condemns the gunmen who attacked UNAMID police officers in Darfur on April 9, 2008. The bandits held the peacekeepers at gunpoint and stole their personal possessions and identification cards. One peacekeeper was struck in the back of the neck with a gun multiple times and was taken to the hospital for medical attention. This incident marks the first assault on peacekeepers since the official implementation of UNAMID on December 31, 2007. Damanga is horrified by these attacks and urges the international community to insist on the full implementation of UNAMID immediately. Although there are currently 1,562 UNAMID police officers working in the region, the mission calls for 6,372 officers. Additionally, the number of UNAMID troops is grossly understated and the conflict requires the full presence of the allotted 26,000 peacekeepers. The full UNAMID force is imperative to securing stability in the region.