Nairobi-Khartoum - A member of the joint United Nations- African Union peackeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) was abducted and assaulted by a mounted militia, UNAMID said in a statement.

UNAMID said that members of an Arab militia moving in a convoy of approximately 1000 men on camel, horseback and in four-wheel-drive vehicles seized the staff member near UNAMID base in El Genina.

The peacekeeping force said it did not open fire "to avoid further aggravating the situation and in consideration of the lives of the civilian population in that area."

A Sudanese official intervened and managed to secure the release of the staff member, UNAMID said.

There are currently around 10,000 peacekeeping staff on the ground in Darfur, half of the authorized force. (dpa)