SPLM-N to release 40 Sudanese POWs and detainees soon
May 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) Monday announced the release within some days of 20 prisoners of war (POWs) and 20 mine workers on the eve of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
“The movement’s leadership directed to hand over the prisoners and detainees as soon as possible to the Red Cross so that they can perform Ramadan fasting with their families after long time,” Ardol added.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is expected to begin this year on Monday 6 June 2016.
Since more than a year, the SPLM-N which fights the Sudanese army in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states agreed to release 20 POWs and 20 mine workers following discussions with the Islamist group of Al-Sa’ihoon.
However, in May 2015 the rebel group said the government refused to give the needed authorizations for the ICRC to collect by plane the 20 PoWs and 20 workers who were in different locations in the two states.
Ardol said that the SPLM-N has an impeccable record of respect for human rights that its historical leader John Garang had contributed to consolidate this tradition.
He pointed the ongoing military campaign by the Sudanese government on their positions hinders the release of the 40 people. But the SPLM-N and the ICRC will make every efforts to enable the prisoners and detainees to join their families.
Also, the rebel official disclosed that some POWs were killed during the government attacks without elaboration.
(ST)