Chad denies mediation to release Darfur aid workers
April 21, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Chadian government dismissed statements made by the kidnappers of two aid workers that Ndjamena had been brokering a deal for their release.
Early today, the kidnappers told the Agence France Presse that the Chadian government was negotiating with them on behalf of the French authorities. They also said they wanted a swift deal as the health of French hostage Claire Dubois was deteriorating.
Chadian Communications Minister Mahamat Hissene on Tuesday swiftly denied any role by his government to secure the release of the hostages saying “The Chadian government has no contact with this group.”
The kidnappers are members of an unknown group called “Falcons for the Liberation of Africa”, they say it is composed of former rebels and members of Arab tribes in Darfur. But Different rebel groups say they have no link with them and accuse Khartoum of manipulation.
The kidnapper who spoke with the AFP said “they didn’t yet reach an agreement with the Chadian authorities. He further said they “want guarantees for us as people and the cause for which we have done what we have done.”
The kidnappers, who used since the kidnapping to contact news agencies, demand that the French Government directly negotiate with them to fulfil their demand to re-try the French organization “Zoe’s Ark,” a group whose employees were convicted but then pardoned for child abductions in Chad.
A Sudanese delegation headed by Presidential Assistant Nafi Ali Nafi arrived today to Paris for talks on the arrest warrant issued last month by the International Criminal Court against the Sudanese president Omer Al-Bashir.
The issue of the two hostages is expected to be raised during the bilateral talks between the two delegations. Sudan said it is not aware of the Chadian mediation but expected a quick release of the aid workers.
The hostage takers had warned Khartoum of military action saying it would threaten the live of the abductees. They are said they prefer to negotiate with Ndjamena because the Chadians are serious and identified the negotiator as a high level official.
French government and d’Aide Médicale Internationale (AMI) refused to comment on the contact they have with the kidnappers to negotiate the release of the hostages.
Canadian Stephanie Jodoin and French Claire Dubois who work with the French humanitarian organization AMI were seized on the night of 4 to 5 April at the compound of the group in Ed El-Fursan in South Darfur.
(ST)