The African Union condemns the attack on the Al-Yarmook arms and ammunition factory in Khartoum

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, October 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,today, received the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sudan to the AU. The Permanent Representative informed the Chairperson that Israeli war planes attacked the Al-Yarmook arms and ammunition factory, located in the suburbs of Khartoum, late in the evening of 23 October 2012. The attack resulted in the death of two civilians.

The Chairperson is deeply concerned by this development, and expresses her dismay at the tragic loss of innocent human lives and property. She strongly condemns this attack against Sudan, a founding member of the AU, in violation of international law, and calls for the full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Sudan. She further stresses the need for the international community as a whole to be mindful of the magnitude of the tasks and challenges that face the Republic of Sudan in the context of the aftermath of the Independence of the Republic of South Sudan, as well as other pressing national issues, including Darfur. On behalf of the AU, the Chairperson offers her condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims.