This oil-rich region is located between Sudan and South Sudan and has been contested since their separation in 2011.
Kadugli is the capital of South Kordofan state in Sudan, where violent clashes rage between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at war for almost three years.
Attacks on peacekeepers are “unjustifiable”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the “horrific” drone attacks.
He expressed his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Bangladesh, as well as the families of the fallen peacekeepers, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
“Attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians,” he said. a declaration.
“Attacks like today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. Those responsible must be held to account.”
New call for ceasefire
The Secretary-General expressed solidarity with the thousands of peacekeepers who continue to serve under the UN flag in the most dangerous environments.
“I reiterate my call on the warring parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to resume talks to achieve a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process,” he said.
Not a target
In a social media post, the head of UN peacekeeping operations said he was “shocked by today’s horrific drone attack.”
Jean-Pierre Lacroix stressed that “UN peacekeepers are not a target” and that “this attack may constitute a war crime”.
UNISFA was established in 2011. Its mandate – which was recently extended by one year – includes strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service (APS), monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces from the region, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and protecting civilians.
Nearly 4,000 soldiers and police officers are participating in the mission, alongside civilian personnel.
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