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UNAMID peacekeeper murdered in Darfur

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-30 15:16

UNITED NATIONS -- A peacekeeper serving with the joint UN-African Union mission (UNAMID) has been "brutally and shamelessly murdered" in Sudan's Darfur region, the UN mission confirmed Thursday.

Inspector John Kennedy Okecha was found dead Wednesday night in a UNAMID vehicle in North Darfur state. He had been shot three times in the neck, chest and stomach, the UNAMID said in a press release.

The Ugandan police officer is the first peacekeeper serving with UNAMID to be killed since it took over operations from an AU-only mission at the start of this year.

Henry Anyidoho, the Deputy Joint Special Representative of the UN and AU, strongly condemned the killing.

"I learned of this wanton and barbaric act with disbelief and dismay," he said. "This was a hideous and callous crime against an unarmed peacekeeper and I condemn it without reservation."

The police component of UNAMID, which has described the killing as an "act of cold-blooded murder," has appealed to anyone with knowledge of what happened to share the information with authorities so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.

Last week, four members of a Nigerian battalion with the mission were attacked in West Darfur state by about 60 armed men. Though no one was killed, the peacekeepers were robbed of ammunition, telephones and cash.