Sudan says release of abducted workers expected “shortly”

July 8, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Two female aid workers abducted in Darfur last week are expected to be released shortly, a Sudanese official said today.

Two women working with the Irish GOAL, Hilda Kawuki, 42, from Uganda, and Sharon Commins, 32, from Ireland were kidnapped from their compound in North Darfur town of Kutum by six armed men.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoting an informed source at the ministry of humanitarian said that the two hostages are in good health and the kidnappers were contacted by Uganda and Ireland.

The source condemned the kidnapping saying it contradicts with morals and values calling for dialogue to resolve outstanding situations.

The identity and the motive of the kidnappers are not yet known, but the Sudanese government conducted search operations for the two aid workers.

A branch of Darfur’s rebel Sudan Liberation Army, active in the territory, earlier this week denied any involvement and accused government-backed militias of abducting the women, saying Khartoum wanted to intimidate foreign aid groups in Darfur. Sudan’s government dismissed the allegation.

The abduction of GOAL staffers is the third case of kidnapping since the arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court against the Sudanese President last March. Since, five aid workers from Medecins Sans Frontières – Belgium and two from the French Aide Médicale Internationale had been abducted and released later.

(ST)