South Sudan: UN Condemns Killing of Civilians and Attack on Peacekeepers in Darfur

The UN Security Council has condemned a bombing that killed 16 civilians in South Sudan and a fatal attack on peacekeepers in West Darfur.

The 15-member council reiterated calls for a ceasefire between the two rival states after bombing raids followed South Sudan's withdrawal from the disputed oil-rich town of Heglig. A further 34 people were injured in the bomb blast.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMiss) confirmed the deaths and injuries in Unity state, US ambassador Susan Rice told reporters. There was also significant damage to infrastructure.

Rice said there had also been reports of Sudanese "incursions" into Unity state.

The council welcomed South Sudan's withdrawal from Heglig and demanded an immediate halt to aerial bombardments by the Sudanese Armed Forces. It "urged an immediate ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table," Rice said.

Togolese UN peacekeeper Killed in West Darfur

The Security Council also condemned "in the strongest terms" an attack on a joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force in West Darfur.

The attack killed one Togolese and left another three wounded.

"They called on the government of Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice and stressed that there must be an end to impunity for those who attack peacekeepers," the envoy said.

The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur said a police patrol from Togo was attacked by unidentified gunmen.

The 32 officers in the team had been visiting internally displaced persons camps in the region and were heading back to base when they were attacked by gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles, it was reported.

Two peacekeepers were wounded and in the clash that followed another two were hurt.