Sudanese aid official calls on SPLM to release prisoners, facilitate aid in south

By Al-Sahafah daily newspaper

KHARTOUM, Jan 09, 2004 — The humanitarian aid commission has welcomed SPLM [Sudan People’s Liberation Movement] leader John Garang’s initiative to release prisoners.

The commission called for the release of 12 aid workers captured by the SPLM during the war.

The humanitarian aid commissioner, Dr Sulaf al-Din Salih, said the SPLM had captured 12 aid workers from the Sub-Sahara Development Organization in Tonj [Bahr al-Ghazal, southern Sudan] and other areas.

Talking to Al-Sahafah yesterday, Dr Salih said the SPLM leader’s initiative to release prisoners was an indication of good will and reflected a genuine humanitarian stance.

However, the commission expressed its concern over the SPLM stance against [aid] workers crossing SPLM-controlled areas. [Passage omitted]

The commissioner asked the SPLM to show more flexibility and allow [aid] organizations to move through all areas of conflict. [Passage omitted]

BBC Monitoring Middle East