Sudan’s Darfur rebel group releases AU hostages

KHARTOUM, May 12, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The government representative of the joint cease fire committee in Darfur, Ibrahim Iz-al-Din Ibrahim, has confirmed that the AU troops kidnapped on 10 May by the Sudan Liberation Movement, (LM)have now been released.

A group of African Union (AU) forces were kidnapped by rebels in northern Darfur, the Sudan News Agency reported Wednesday.

Ibrahim said to the Sudanese radio the group, which was in the Muhajiriyah region, included three AU observers, a representative of Justice and Equality Movement, a translator and eight members of the AU peace troops.

The team was on a confidence building mission and left Muhajiriyah planning to visit various regions including Umm Sawnah, where they were abducted and held as hostages by the SLM.

The rebel group said they were not happy with the tribal reconciliation, which was lauded by the UN representative to Sudan, and with the recent AU Security and Peace Council resolution to increase the AU forces in Darfur.

Ibrahim added that this was a major violation of the agreements signed between the government and the rebel movements, which ensured freedom of movement and security of all observers.

He further indicated the cease fire committee members were not happy with the incident and made steady contacts with the SLM rebels. Their efforts were successful as they persuaded the rebels to set the hostages free and we thank God for this. The released hostages are now heading back to Muhajiriyah.