Inkatha Freedom Party Statement By:
MR VELAPHI NDLOVU MP
IFP SAFETY AND SECURITY SPOKESPERSON

2 October 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party wants to condemn in the strongest possible manner the callous slaying of ten African Union peacekeepers in Sudan over the weekend.  

Another 40 AU peacekeepers are believed to be missing. 

The IFP believes that this was a very cruel terrorist attack on innocent people who are tasked with doing a very dangerous but extremely important job in the war-ravaged Darfur. 

The attack by a large group of heavily armed rebels took place in South Darfur on Saturday night.  

The IFP hopes that the AU enquiry will reveal who was behind this savage act of violence and that those responsible for the bloodshed will be brought to book. 

Furthermore, we hope that the plans to deploy a 26 000-strong joint AU-UN force will come into effect sooner than later. The current AU force of 7000 troops, are under-equipped, which is making them vulnerable to attack.  

We believe the UN should now seriously consider expanding the mandate of this new AU-UN force so that they are able to enforce the peace. 

The IFP urges all parties involved in the war in Sudan to recommit as a matter of the highest priority to a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mr Velaphi Ndlovu MP: 083 625 0803
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470