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AU attack blamed on Darfur rebels AU attack blamed on Darfur rebels
(11 minutes later)
The commander of the new hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur has blamed a breakaway rebel faction for an attack that killed 10 African Union troops.The commander of the new hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur has blamed a breakaway rebel faction for an attack that killed 10 African Union troops.
Speaking from the scene of the attack, General Martin Agwai told the BBC it was a splinter group "who broke away from a faction called SLA United".Speaking from the scene of the attack, General Martin Agwai told the BBC it was a splinter group "who broke away from a faction called SLA United".
About 40 AU soldiers are missing and seven were badly injured in the raid, by heavily-armed men in 30 vehicles.About 40 AU soldiers are missing and seven were badly injured in the raid, by heavily-armed men in 30 vehicles.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the killings were "outrageous".UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the killings were "outrageous".
General Agwai told the BBC's Focus on Africa the attackers destroyed two armoured personnel carriers, looted equipment and stole ammunition from the AU monitoring group at the base in Haskanita.General Agwai told the BBC's Focus on Africa the attackers destroyed two armoured personnel carriers, looted equipment and stole ammunition from the AU monitoring group at the base in Haskanita.
He categorically ruled out any involvement by government forces.He categorically ruled out any involvement by government forces.
'Unconscionable crime''Unconscionable crime'
The Saturday evening attack on the AU military observers was the worst on its troops since their deployment to the region three years ago.The Saturday evening attack on the AU military observers was the worst on its troops since their deployment to the region three years ago.
At the UN, Mr Ban's office issued a statement condemning the attack "in the strongest possible terms" and demanding those responsible "be held fully accountable".
The African Union mission has been in Darfur since 2003 A troubled missionThe African Union mission has been in Darfur since 2003 A troubled mission
The AU says 40 of the mostly Nigerian troops are still missing. Seventeen were found on Sunday in a nearby village.The AU says 40 of the mostly Nigerian troops are still missing. Seventeen were found on Sunday in a nearby village.
Next year the UN and AU will jointly deploy the world's largest peacekeeping force - 26,000 troops - to Darfur.Next year the UN and AU will jointly deploy the world's largest peacekeeping force - 26,000 troops - to Darfur.
It will absorb the current force of 7,000 AU troops, which has been struggling to protect civilians in the region.It will absorb the current force of 7,000 AU troops, which has been struggling to protect civilians in the region.
The BBC's Africa analyst, Martin Plaut, says the fighting comes at a particularly unfortunate moment, with discussions about to take place between the AU and UN to pave the way for peace talks between government and rebels. Meanwhile, officials in Senegal have warned that the country's force in Darfur could be withdrawn following the attack.
Prospects of an agreement at the talks are starting to look bleak, he says. One Senegalese soldier was among the 10 members of the mission killed in the fighting.
A spokesman for the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) also condemned the attack, which he said was carried out by dissident commanders. Senegal has one of the largest contingents in Darfur, but the Foreign Ministry said it could pull out if security for its forces was not guaranteed.
"They're looking for equipment - vehicles and weapons ... They found the AU an easy target," Ibrahim Jalil said.
The BBC's Orla Guerin, who visited the camp within rebel territory last month, said it was clear then that rebel fighters were too close for comfort.
Mission to SudanMission to Sudan
Meanwhile, a delegation of notable world figures led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu has arrived in Sudan for talks.Meanwhile, a delegation of notable world figures led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu has arrived in Sudan for talks.
[The attack] just shows how desperate the situation is, how desperately we've got to find a peaceful solution Archbishop Desmond Tutu'Elders' delegation head Dim prospects for peace Darfur quick guide[The attack] just shows how desperate the situation is, how desperately we've got to find a peaceful solution Archbishop Desmond Tutu'Elders' delegation head Dim prospects for peace Darfur quick guide
The archbishop is leading a delegation of "elders" that includes former UN envoy to Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi, former US President Jimmy Carter, and Graca Machel, a children's rights advocate and the wife of Nelson Mandela.The archbishop is leading a delegation of "elders" that includes former UN envoy to Iraq Lakhdar Brahimi, former US President Jimmy Carter, and Graca Machel, a children's rights advocate and the wife of Nelson Mandela.
The group came together at Nelson Mandela's invitation to find ways to tackle some of the world's toughest problems, such as HIV/Aids, poverty and conflict.The group came together at Nelson Mandela's invitation to find ways to tackle some of the world's toughest problems, such as HIV/Aids, poverty and conflict.
The group is scheduled to meet Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and opposition leaders in Khartoum on Monday before travelling on to refugee camps in Darfur.The group is scheduled to meet Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and opposition leaders in Khartoum on Monday before travelling on to refugee camps in Darfur.
Commenting on the raid, Mr Tutu said: "It just shows how desperate the situation is, how desperately we've got to find a peaceful solution so that incidents of that kind don't happen."Commenting on the raid, Mr Tutu said: "It just shows how desperate the situation is, how desperately we've got to find a peaceful solution so that incidents of that kind don't happen."
At least 200,000 people have died in Darfur during a four-year conflict and more than two million have been forced from their homes.At least 200,000 people have died in Darfur during a four-year conflict and more than two million have been forced from their homes.