Sudan says SPLM to free 700 captives this week

Soldier holds a flag of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army with his assault rifle, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005 in Rumbek in southern Sudan. (AP).

KHARTOUM, Feb 13 (AFP) — A Sudanese minister said on Sunday that 700 prisoners of war held by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in the south of the country would be freed by the end of this week.

State Foreign Minister Naguib al-Khair Abdel Wahab told reporters that Khartoum’s foreign ministry and the International Committee of the Red Cross had signed an agreement on the release and transport of the POWs.

Quoting the ICRC, the minister said the prisoners would be freed this week. Under the agreement, the Red Cross would use its planes and other means of transport to bring the prisoners from the south to the north.

The SPLM signed a peace agreement with Khartoum on January 9, ending more than two decades of civil war.