One South African peacekeeper of the United Nations mission in Sudan's Darfur region (UNAMID) is dead and four others wounded from an attack on 27 September near Mellit, North Darfur, the UN said.

The peacekeepers were escorting a UNAMID logistics convoy when they came under attack by 'unidentified armed men' and exchanged fire. One of the wounded remains in serious condition, the UN said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and the Security Council condemnded the incident in the strongest possible terms, a statement from his office said. Ban appealed to the Sudanese authorities to investigate the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible, according to the statement.

"[The secretary general] calls on the parties to the conflict in Darfur to respect the integrity of the peacekeeping force," the statement continued. "He reminds them that they may be held accountable for any attacks on or threats against UNAMID."