SLM-AW releases 18 people in Darfur: ICRC
September 3, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdel Wahdi al-Nur (SLM-AW) on Thursday released 16 Sudanese government troops and two civilians held by the rebel group in Darfur region, announced the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
They were handed over to the Sudanese authorities in Nyala, capital of South Darfur state, further said the Red Cross without providing further details about where the release occurred.
“Five ICRC international staff accompanied the 18 released people on 2 and 3 September when they travelled by helicopter to Nyala,” said the ICRC.
Since the eruption of Darfur conflict 12 years ago, the different armed opposition groups used to resort to the Red Cross to facilitate such humanitarian operation.
The head of the ICRC office in Sudan, Eloi Fillion expressed the readiness of the organization to support similar operations in the future.
The Sudanese government and various armed opposition groups trust the ICRC to play this humanitarian role,” Fillion said.
The ICRC was not affected by the government decision to expel international aid groups from the region in March 2009.
The Geneva based group works in Darfur region since the eruption of the conflict in 2003. It continues to provide the conflict affected population with medical assistance, water supplies; and the provision of agricultural tools and seeds.
(ST)