Three members of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) serving under the hybrid AU/UN mission in Darfur (UNAMID), died yesterday in an ambush in Sarfumra, about 250 kilometres from El Fasher in the Sudanese troubled area of Darfur.

RDF spokesman Major Jill Rutaremara told The New Times that three others were injured in an attack as they engaged in a water collection exercise.

"The incident happened as the soldiers helped people to collect water,” the RDF publicist said, adding that the injured peacekeepers were in stable condition.

The wounded soldiers, Rutaremera added, were immediately evacuated to a hospital in El-Fasher and that UNAMID had launched an investigation to ascertain the attackers.

Rutaremara said that it was not yet known when the bodies of the fallen peacekeepers would be flown home, but that arrangements were underway.  

"No definite date is known now, but we are closely working with UNAMID to see how that will be done,” he said.

The identities of the dead soldiers were not released until the next of kin of the victims have been informed.  

Rwanda has 3,200 troops deployed in Darfur and 254 troops in Khartoum as well as over 70 staff officers and Military Observers serving under both UNAMID and UNMIS.

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