Irish delegation arrives in Sudan to free abducted aid workers

July 5, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Irish diplomats arrived today to the Sudanese capital Khartoum to take part in the ongoing efforts to secure the release of two female aid workers kidnapped last Friday in Darfur region.

Two women working with the Irish GOAL, Hilda Kawuki, 42, from Uganda, and Sharon Commins, 32, from Ireland were kidnapped from their compound in North Darfur town of Kutum by six armed men.

The Irish delegation, which arrived to Khartoum in a government jet, includes Ireland ambassador to Egypt Gerard Corr and officials from the Foreign Affairs Department. They are expected to meet concerned authorities as well as the Ugandan ambassador in Khartoum.

Ireland’s consular in Khartoum, Ronnie Shaoul, who received the delegation pointed out that the delegation includes negotiators trained to deal with such situation.

The Irish authorities seem according pay particular attention to this kidnapping.

Irish President Mary McAleese expressed “deep concern” at the kidnapping. She conveyed to the Commins family her “sincere hope that Sharon will be returned to safety as soon as possible, along with her colleague”.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin called for the immediate release of the abducted women and said they would do everything possible to secure their freedom. He and Peter Power the minister for Overseas Development called Commins family to offer their sympathy and support.

On Saturday, Goal chief executive John O’Shea called for the immediate release of the two female aid workers adding he was very concerned for their welfare.

Ms Commins has been working with Goal for four years and in the Darfur region for the last 18 months. She completed a degree in communications in Dublin Institute of Technology and a masters in International Relations in Dublin City University before commencing the job.

The identity and the motive of the kidnappers are not yet known, but the Sudanese government started researches for the two aid workers.

In Khartoum the foreign ministry said a joint Irish-Ugandan team would travel to El Fasher, capital of north Darfur, on Monday, to help with negotiations.

The Sudanese authorities said following closely the situation. Ali Youssef Ahmed the head of Protocol at the foreign ministry said the government tries to identify the kidnappers, their whereabouts and their demands.

The abduction of GOAL staffers is the third case of kidnapping since the arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court against the Sudanese President last March. Since, five aid workers from Medecins Sans Frontières – Belgium and two from the French Aide Médicale Internationale had been abducted and released later.

(ST)