KIGALI - The Ministry of Defence has released the names of Rwandan soldiers killed Monday while on duty under the African Union – United Nations (UNAMID) peacekeeping mission in Sudan’s Darfur region.

According to a communication from the ministry, the three were identified as Sgt. Valence Musabyimana, Cpl. Sadiki Kabango and Pte. Joseph Ntawumenyumunsi.

"Plans to bring the bodies of the fallen home are underway and the RDF is in touch with UNAMID headquarters. It takes time because of certain procedures,” Army and Defence Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jill Rutaremara said yesterday.

Camouflaged gunmen on Monday attacked the RDF-UNAMID contingent, killing the three and wounding another in Nertiti, Western Darfur.
According to Rutaremara, the injured soldier is in a stable condition.

The troops were guarding civilian engineers working near the village of Nertiti, in the Jebel Marra region.
Three attackers were also killed.

United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led UN officials in deploring the attack. Mohamed B. Yonis, the Deputy Joint Special Representative for UNAMID, also voiced outrage at the attack and praised the peacekeepers for their courage.

The African Union (AU) chief Jean Ping condemned the attack that the killed three peacekeepers. UN has called on the Sudanese government to apprehend the attackers.

Monday’s deaths bring to 27, UNAMID members killed in Darfur since the force was deployed there in January 2008.

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