Two German aid workers kidnapped in Darfur

June 23, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Unknown gunmen kidnapped two German aid workers last night from their residence in Nyala the capital of South Darfur State, the hybrid peacekeeping mission reported on wednesday.

“Two German nationals from Technisches Hilfswerk (THW), a German relief organization, were reported kidnapped last night from their residence in Nyala, South Darfur,” said the UNAMID daily briefing.

However the Commissioner of humanitarian aid in South Darfur Jamal Yousef casted doubt over the job of the abductees saying the two Germans are not aid workers but working in the maintenance of the vehicles of humanitarian organizations in the restive region.

Jamal further confirmed that police and security forces continue to pursue the kidnappers, who are not yet identified, in all parts of the state.

Abduction of aid workers and foreigners generally including UNAMID members has become recurrent in Darfur. The kidnappers used to demand ransom or use the kidnapping as means to press the Sudanese authorities.
An American female aid worker from the Samaritan Purse is kidnapped since 37 days since aid worker was kidnapped in South Darfur.

Since March 2009 where the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the President Omer Al-Bashir 17 foreigners including 10 Westerners have been kidnapped. Most were released unharmed.

(ST)