Peacekeepers 'targeted' in Darfur

The UN wants to take over from African Union peacekeepers

An African Union peacekeeper in Sudan's Darfur region has been killed in an ambush by unknown men.

A peacekeeping base was later attacked with rocket-propelled grenades. One peacekeeper was badly injured; five had less serious wounds.

An AU spokesman said peacekeepers were being targeted by groups opposed to a peace deal signed earlier this month.

More than two million people have fled their homes and some 200,000 killed in the three-year conflict in Darfur.

Food rations

The two attacks happened around Masteri, near the border with Chad.

The AU spokesman in Sudan, Nouredine Mezni, said investigations were being carried out to find out who was behind the attacks.

A helicopter gunship from the Sudanese military had to be called to drive the attackers away.

The AU helped broker the 5 May deal signed by the government and the largest rebel faction in Darfur.

Two smaller groups have refused to sign and have been given a 31 May deadline by the AU to do so or face possible sanctions.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme says it is increasing its rations to those displaced by the Darfur conflict, after receiving additional contributions from donors.

Rations were cut in half in May but the WFP said it will supply 84% of the recommended minimum energy content from June.

Stronger mandate

The attacks come after Sudan indicated last that it was moving closer to letting the UN take over the peace mission in Darfur.

The AU does not have the money to sustain its 7,000-strong force in Darfur and its troops are under-equipped.

A UN force may have a stronger mandate to end the fighting between rebel groups, the army and pro-government militias.

After meeting Sudan's president, UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi last week said the mission would assess requirements for the possible arrival of UN peacekeepers.

However, Sudan has still not agreed the deployment of a UN force.

Khartoum says it would prefer the AU peacekeepers there to be given more support.

Genocide

The conflict began in 2003, when rebel groups took up arms complaining that the government was ignoring the black African residents of Darfur.

The pro-government Janjaweed militias then started raids on villages, causing deaths which some say amount to a genocide.

The government has denied accusations that it armed and worked alongside the Janjaweed.

It says the problems in Darfur have been exaggerated.