Darfur kidnappers persist they were in talks with Chadian officials
April 25, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – Kidnappers of two members of a French aid group working in Darfur stressed they were negotiating with Chadian authorities, however they added that the talks have failed.
Chadian Communications Minister Mahamat Hissene last Tuesday denied any role by his government to secure the release of the hostages saying “The Chadian government has no contact with this group.”
One of the kidnappers insisted on Saturday they had negotiations with the Chadian government for the release of two Canadian and French aid workers. However he added that the talks collapsed because Ndjamena refused to guarantee the safety of their negotiating delegation.
“The negotiations were not successful. Tension will rise in this situation,” on kidnapper told Reuters from the Chad border. “The delegation returned yesterday because we wanted to guarantee its safety,” he added.
The Chadian officials negotiated on behalf of the French government, the kidnappers say.
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 kidnappers 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.
The issue of the kidnapped two aid workers had been discussed this week between the Sudanese presidential assistant Nafi Ali Nafi who was in Paris for talks with the French officials.
“France is not serious about solving this matter. France wants a solution through Sudan. We have not received any contact from the French or Sudanese authorities,” the kidnapper said.
Sudan says it has been excluded from negotiations between the kidnappers and the women’s aid group, Aide Médicale Internationale (AMI).
The French foreign ministry has a policy of not commenting on kidnapping cases.
The kidnapper threatened to target French interests in Chad and the Central African Republic if Paris does not negotiate with the group over the Zoe’s Ark case.
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)