Netherlands embassy warns its nationals in Sudan of kidnapping incidents

April 13, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Netherlands embassy in Khartoum warned its nationals of the recent increase in kidnapping incidents, while Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied knowledge of this warning.

The embassy sent an electronic mail message to all its nationals in Sudan warning them of information about the risk of abduction in Darfur and indications that this may spread to other parts of Sudan, including the capital Khartoum.

The email further asked them to take precautions and change their travel patterns regularly.

However, Sudan’s foreign ministry under-secretary, Rahmat-Allah Mohamed Osman denied knowledge of the warning.

Another diplomatic source also played down the warning, saying that some European countries and the United States are accustomed to send warning messages to their nationals in Sudan occasionally in order to indicate that Sudan does not enjoy full stability.

The British embassy in Khartoum last week issued a similar warning saying the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) received reports that a terrorist group is planning to target westerners in Khartoum for kidnapping.

(ST)