40 AU peacekeepers kidnapped in Sudan’s Darfur

Oct 9, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — A rebel group took hostage as many as 40 African Union (AU) peacekeepers in the troubled Darfur region of western Sudan, an AU spokesman said.

Noureddine Mezni told AFP that some of the hostages had been released later the same day, but he could not give a figure.

“According to our information, the released persons are currently headed on foot to an AU base in the Tina region,” said the spokesman, adding that only when they arrive it would be able to clarify the number.

“Confusion remains concerning the number of hostages,” said Mezni. “We talked before 18 hostages, but the number appears to be higher, as the hostage-takers apparently then took some of the rescuers hostage.”

Around 40 people were apparently taken hostage, he said.

The abductions took place near the town of Tine on Sudan’s frontier with Chad.

The kidnappers were believed to be members of a dissident faction of Darfur’s rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Mezni said.

(AFP/ST)