Darfur: AMIS CivPol Killed in Feb. 1 Hijacking in Kutum

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000159

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PREF PHUM AU SU
SUBJECT: Darfur: AMIS CivPol Killed in Feb. 1 Hijacking in Kutum
IDP Camp



1. (U) On February 1, unidentified assailants shot and killed an
African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) civilian police (CivPol)
officer during a hijacking of an AMIS vehicle in Kassab internally
displaced persons camp in Kutum, North Darfur, on the morning of
February 1.


2. (U) AMIS condemned the incident on February 2; the text of its
press release is as follows:

(Begin text)

Office of the Spokesperson

Press Release No. 04/07


The UN Condemns the Killing of a Civilian Police Monitor of the
African Union Mission in Sudan

1 February, Khartoum: The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
strongly condemns the killing of a member of Civilian Police of the
African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) who was shot dead today by
unknown armed men during a hijacking of an AMIS vehicle inside
Kassab camp in Kutum, North Darfur.

UNMIS extends its condolences to the family of the victim and to the
African Union Mission in Sudan.

UNMIS urges all parties to fully cooperate with AMIS and to ensure
the safety and security of its personnel. UNMIS requests the release
of the AMIS peacekeeper abducted on 10 December 2006 and handover of
all AMIS vehicles hijacked.

UNMIS is particularly alarmed at the fact that the killing happened
inside an IDP camp and urges all concerned to prevent the presence
and access of armed individuals to camps.

(End text)


3. (SBU) Comment: Vehicle thefts, often accompanied by deadly
force, continue in Darfur, whether for service as armed vehicles
("technicals"),smuggling, trade, or transport. Combined with a
general trend in violence directed toward AMIS troops, this attack
underscores an increasingly insecure environment in much of North
Darfur. It is likely that this incident will be investigated
following an upcoming Cease-fire Commission meeting.

POWERS