(ST)

Sudanese government and the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) signed today a protocol including safety measures to ensure the security of the peacekeepers working in the restive region.

The deal comes after the killing of 20 peacekeepers in violence since the African Union United Nation operation took over from the African mission in January 2008. Also two civilian personnel had been abducted last August and only released some 100 days after earlier this month.

Also, following the killing of five Rwandans peacekeepers during the first week of December in two successive attacks, Kigali pointed fingers at Sudan suggesting the latter is responsible for the deadly attacks over the weekend against its soldiers.

The framework for a plan of action for the safely of UNAMID personnel and their assets was signed on Tuesday by the Director of international cooperation at the Sudanese Defense ministry Lt Gen. Magzoub Rahma and UNAMID Force Commander, Lt-Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba.