Darfur rebels release 44 Sudanese soldiers – Red Cross

May 18, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) released 44 prisoners of war (POWs) members of the Sudanese army the International red Cross announced today.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) “concluded successfully the hand-over of 44 Sudanese Armed Forces personnel freed by JEM in North Darfur to the Sudanese authorities in El-Fasher,” said Saleh Dabbakeh who is the spokesperson of the Red Cross in Sudan.

JEM also released a statement announcing the release, saying it completed the transfer of POWs to the Red Cross on Tuesday May 18. Dabbakeh said three helicopters from the World Food Programme and a fixed wing plane (Red Cross 908) were involved in the operation.

They were lifted to the capital of North Darfur state, El-Fasher, and handed to the Sudanese authorities.

The ICRC said the detainees had been released “as part of the JEM’s framework agreement with the Sudanese government signed in Doha last February.”

Sudan and JEM clashed recently in different position in the restive region of Darfur despite a framework agreement signed in Doha last February providing the exchange of POWs and cessation of hostilities.

Sudanese government said it captured a rebel bastion in Jebel Moon and killed 108 rebels but JEM said it had evacuated voluntarily the area.

JEM rebels suspended their participation in the peace process accusing Khartoum of breaching the truce and saying the government has to fulfill some condition before to resume talks.

The mediation said this week negotiations would restart during the last week of May and the invitation would be extended to all the parties including JEM.