Darfur aid workers released after 3 months
An Irish aid worker and her Uganda colleague kidnapped in Sudan's Darfur region have been released
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By Matt Halam. |  |
Sunday, 18, Oct 2009 09:17
By Richard James.
An Irish aid worker and her Uganda colleague kidnapped in Sudan's Darfur region have been released, reports claim.
Sharon Commins, 32, and Hilda Kawuki, 42, were working with the Irish humanitarian aid agency Goal when they were seized by gunmen back in July.
The Sudanese government confirmed the pair had been released on Sunday morning and declared both were "in good health".
Sudan's state Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Abdel Baqi al-Jailani, told reporters no ransom had been paid to the kidnappers and instead local tribes had put pressure on them to release the aid workers.
Ireland's foreign affairs minister Michael Martin said he was "delighted and relieved" at the news.
He added: "Their personal courage and resilience has helped them through what must have been a traumatic experience."
The two women were initially taken hostage in the town of Kutum over three months ago.
A statement from Goal said the pair were now being interviewed by Sudanese authorities about their ordeal.
Goal's CEO John O'Shea said: "A sense of overwhelming relief and joy has descended upon all of us. We are especially happy and pleased for the families of both Hilda and Sharon who have suffered so much since July 3rd. Their happiness must know no bounds.
"I spoke with Sharon earlier this morning and she sounded wonderful. Hilda and herself have suffered a traumatic ordeal- but happily both have had the strength and courage to come through it.
He added: "I want to express my profound thanks on behalf of all in Goal to the Irish government and to the Sudanese authorities for the pivotal role they played in securing the release of the two Goalies. I also want to express my thanks to the Irish people for the prodigious support which they have provided in recent months."
Both women are expected to be flown back to their respective homes later today.