Seven Sudanese soldiers released by Darfur rebels: ICRC
April 21, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Seven soldiers from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), who were captured by a faction of the rebel movement Sudan Liberation Army led by Minni Minnawi (SLA-MM), were handed over to Sudanese authorities on Sunday.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the handover, acting in its capacity as a neutral intermediary.
Following their release, the seven soldiers were transferred to the North Darfur capital El Fasher by helicopter, the ICRC said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
Jean-Christophe Sandoz, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Sudan, said the group included two injured soldiers, who were assessed by medical personnel to make sure they were well enough to travel.
ICRC delegates also interviewed the soldiers in private, to ensure they were not being transferred against their will.
The soldiers’ release comes after the SLA-MM handed over another 14 Sudanese army soldiers recently captured during a spate of violence in East Darfur.
The ICRC was also asked to assist in the transfer of those soldiers, who were taken by helicopter to the South Darfur capital Nyala on 13 April, where they were delivered to Sudanese authorities.
The SLA-MM seized control of the Muhajeria and Labado towns in East Darfur on 6 April. Both were later recaptured by the Sudanese army.
A spokesperson for the rebel faction, Abdallah Mursal, confirmed in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday the release of the Sudanese prisoners of war captured in Donki Drissa and Abka Ragil areas on Al-Fasher Muhajeria road.
The ICRC has participated in numerous handovers since the beginning of the year, including the repatriation of South Sudanese prisoners of war released by the Sudanese government, as well as Sudanese soldiers and civilians released by armed opposition groups in Darfur.
Last month, the ICRC assisted in the release of 31 civilians seized at gunpoint in Darfur by the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdel Wahid (SLA-AW) on 24 March.
The civilians, who were arrested while travelling under the escort of UN peacekeepers, were en route to attend a conference for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nyala.
In February, five prisoners of war, accompanied by an ICRC delegate, were handed over to South Sudanese authorities.
“Playing the role of neutral intermediary between parties to the conflict is an important part of our mandate. The Sudanese government and various armed opposition groups trust the ICRC to play this humanitarian role,” said Sandoz, adding that the ICRC remains ready to provide support for any similar operation in the future.
(ST)