Rebel group releases five Sudanese soldiers in Darfur: Red Cross

December 4, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – A Darfur rebel faction released five Sudanese soldiers who are handed over through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the humanitarian organisation said.

The ICRC “assisted in the transfer of five Sudanese Armed Forces personnel released (Wednesday) by the Sudan Liberation Army – Ali Karbino (SLA-AK), an armed opposition group in Darfur”, said a statement released in Khartoum on Wednesday.

The soldiers were handed over to the Sudanese authorities in the capital of North Darfur state Al-Fashir where they were transported by a helicopter in the afternoon.

“So far in 2013, ICRC staff in Sudan have facilitated the handover of 78 persons: 37 Sudanese armed forces personnel and 36 civilians released by armed opposition groups”, said, head of the ICRC – Sudan Jean-Christophe Sandoz.

The SPA-AK is a small rebel group used to co-operate with the different rebel groups in Darfur. Recently they carried joint attacks with the SLA-AW and SLA-MM as well as with the Justice and Equality Movement. The groups was also part of the former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement but moved out of the group before the signing of a peace deal in July 2011.

(ST)