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South African soldier killed after coming under attack in Darfur‚ Sudan

A military convoy providing security escort for humanitarian aid trucks was ambushed last night‚ the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirmed on Thursday.

One soldier was killed and another wounded.

The attack came at approximately 20h00‚ the military said in a statement.

The convoy was ambushed en route to an exchange point between the SANDF and Rwandese Battalions.

“This was a routine security escort to protect the movement of World Food Programme (WFP) trucks to a pre-determined destination. In this instance‚ the SANDF battalion were to escort the convoy to a point where it was to be taken over by the Rwandese battalion.

 “The convoy came under fire 25km away from the exchange point and was able to hold ground and protect the WFP trucks‚” the SANDF said.

“During the exchange of fire‚ unfortunately one member of the SANDF was fatally wounded whilst another was wounded.”

The wounded soldier was medically evacuated to EL Fashir to receive medical treatment. He is in a stable condition.

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans‚ Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula‚ the Chief of the South African National Defence‚ General Solly Shoke‚ and the Chief of Joint Operations‚ Lieutenant General Duma Mdutyana‚ have sent their condolences to the family and friends of the dead soldier and “wished the injured member a speedy and comprehensive recovery from his wounds“.

 

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