Kidnapped peacekeepers to be released after the elections

April 21, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The abductors of four peacekeepers pledged yesterday to release the South African police adviser after the announcement of election results in the country.

Last week, People’s Democratic Struggle Movement (PDSM), a splinter group from the former rebel SLM-Free Will faction, admitted the kidnapping of the four peacekeepers and said they would be released soon.

The group said one of its commanders did abduct them on April 11 because he had been unaware of an agreement concluded with the government.

“We will release them after the results of the elections,” said Ibrahim Al-Dukki, of the PDSm in a statement to the AFP on Tuesday, adding that they wanted to avoid releasing the hostages during any potential clashes after the results of the elections.

“We want to wait until the election results are out. We want to make sure first that there is no trouble before we release them. We will definitely release them after the election result,” Dukki said.

He further said the four peacekeepers are in good health.

The PDSM official further disclosed they had discussed the release of four peacekeepers with parties he didn’t want to identify but analysts say it could be the Sudanese government.

“We decided to release them after discussing the matter with several parties,” he said, adding.” There will be no money in exchange for their release.”

Sudan electoral board has failed to announce the election results this week. However, it did not yet determine when the final results will be put out.

(ST)