A humanitarian worker kidnapped in Um Dukhun Locality in Sudan’s Central Darfur State is now free and headed home, following a rescue by local youth and RSF forces.

Dr Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed, the base manager of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), was on Friday rescued during a joint operation by RSF forces and native administration, a week after being kidnapped by an unidentified armed group.

Ahmed Minawi, the RSF’s Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator in Central Darfur State, told Radio Tamazuj that the Rapid Support Forces, in collaboration with the native administration and local youth in Um Dukhun locality, were able to rescue Dr Ahmed Mohammed from kidnappers.

“We are happy to announce that Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed has been rescued from kidnappers. We want to reiterate our commitment to provide security to the aid workers in areas under our control,” he said.

 Minawi pointed out that the process of chasing the perpetrators is still ongoing until they are arrested and brought to justice so that they can serve as an example to others to enhance security in the area.

Dr. Ahmed Muhammad, the base manager of the Danish Refugee Council, expressed his appreciation to the RSF forces, the native administration and the youth of Um Dukhan for returning him to the locality and his family.

Ahmed explained that the harsh conditions facing the citizens in Um Dukhun locality push him to defy the difficulties and continue serving the community, especially women and children.

 “I still don’t believe that I am now free. So I thank the joint efforts made to rescue me. As aid workers, we will continue to do our best to provide support to the needy despite the challenges,” he concluded.

Alal Musa, a local activist, called on the security forces and the native administration to protect the humanitarian organizations and residents.
“Lack of security affects the citizens because many organizations cannot work in the state due to security concerns,” he said.

Central Darfur is one of the Darfur states controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Experts see no end in sight to the fighting, which began on April 15 last year between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the RSF.

Since then, thousands of people have been killed, including up to 15,000 in one West Darfur town alone, according to U.N. experts.

More than 8.5 million fled their homes to seek safety elsewhere in Sudan or across borders in neighbouring countries.

Humanitarian workers from both local and international NGOs have also suffered significant losses. As of 19 October 2023, 45 aid workers – mainly Sudanese - have been detained or killed, according to the U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator.