S. African peacekeepers released in Darfur

Kidnappers released yesterday four peacekeepers from South Africa. The peacekeepers are now returning to their home country. Their release came only one day after a one-on-one meeting between President Bashir and the head of the UNAMID mission, Nigerian diplomat Ibrahim Gambari.

The hostages, two men and two women, were serving as police advisors for the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur, or UNAMID. They were abducted on 11 April while journeying to their quarters in Nyala.

UNAMID stated in a press release that Bashir on Sunday “pledged to do everything possible to assist in bringing about the safe return of the UNAMID personnel”. After the hostages were released, UNAMID thanked the government of Sudan. “This day would not have been possible, had it not been for the good cooperation of the Government of the Sudan and the local authorities of South Darfur,” said Ibrahim Gambari, who was in Nyala to greet the freed hostages.

A militia calling itself the Movement for the Struggle of the People in Darfur, led by Mohammed Abdullah Sharar, had claimed responsibility for the abduction. Radio Dabanga learnt that the group may be part of the Irada Hura (SLM Free Will), which signed a Declaration of Commitment after the Darfur Peace Agreement of 2006. There was subsequently a leadership struggle within this group.

The kidnappers´ spokesman, Ibrahim Dokki, said that they did not accept ransom money. Earlier he had told Radio Dabanga that the group demanded one billion Sudanese pounds and the release of some of their detained leaders.