October 01, 2007
AU Opens Probe Into Deadly Weekend Attack In Darfur
The African Union is vowing to punish those responsible for the death of 10 peacekeepers and the disappearance of 40 others as it begins an investigation today into a deadly weekend attack on one of its bases in Darfur.
The well-organized attack by several hundred gunmen at the Haskanita base, the worst in the AU's three-year deployment in the region, has been blamed on rebel factions. According to Reuters, an influential member of one of those groups, the Sudan Liberation Army's Unity faction, "said if his faction was involved it was a local decision, not ordered by the leadership."
The AU's probe into the incident commences as "a delegation of notable world figures led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu has arrived in Sudan for talks" aimed at addressing the genocide and ongoing strife there, BBC News reports. Former President Jimmy Carter is also among the delegation, which is the first of a new initiative called The Elders -- a group of prominent leaders and Nobel Prize winners who will address various global hotspots to gather information and help mediate conflicts.
The New York Times also notes that the deadly attack came "as the United Nations has been trying to persuade member countries to commit troops and support to a greatly expanded Darfur peacekeeping force," and "officials now fear that some of those countries may have second thoughts about participating" as a result of the violence. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon swiftly condemned the killings, calling them "outrageous."
Between 6,000 and 7,000 AU peacekeepers are currently in Darfur. They were first deployed in 2004, and although they are frequently targeted in attacks, this weekend's incident is the first time a base has been completely overrun. Rebels are becoming increasingly aggressive toward the peacekeepers, claiming the force is on the side of the government.
The Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and London Guardian have more on Saturday's attack.
