Three abducted aid workers released in North Darfur

Three Sudanese humanitarian workers abducted in Kutum, North Darfur, on 18 June 2014, were freed today in the same locality after 32 days in captivity. Mustafa Abdallah Adarj, working with Unicef, Mohamed Abulgasim, and Ahmed El Sayed, working with the international Goal organisation were immediately taken to the Mission’s hospital in Kutum, for medical checks, Unamid said in a press release issued on Saturday.   The three were among 25 humanitarian workers abducted by armed men in three separate incidents in Kutum locality on 18 June 2014. A total of 20 of them were released the same day, while two staff members of the Sudanese Sustainable Action Group (SAG) were held in captivity for two weeks, and released on 2 July 2014. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the head of Unamid, expressed gratitude to the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and the governor of North Darfur State for their “valuable assistance” in the safe release of the humanitarian workers.  “The role of the humanitarian actors in Darfur is crucial to ensure that those in need received essential aid; it’s in everyone’s interest to guarantee that they can continue to carry out their duties safely,” Ibn Chambas noted.  Photo: Unicef employee Mustafa Abdallah greets one of his colleagues upon his arrival at El Fasher airport. (lbert González Farran/Unamid) Related: NGO staff abducted in Kutum, North Darfur (19 June 2014)