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, according to the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). 

Mustafa Abdalla Adarge, working with UNICEF, and Mohamed Abu Elgassem and Ahmed Elsayed, working with the international NGO Goal were released apparently unharmed and in good condition.

These three were among the 25 humanitarian workers who were taken 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 national NGO Sustainable Action Group (SAG) were held in captivity for 14 days and released on 2 July 2014.

Upon release, Mustafa and Mohamed appeared to be unharmed and in good condition. 

AU-UN Joint Special Representative Mohamed Ibn Chambas expressed gratitude to the National Intelligence and Security Services and the governor of North Darfur 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,” the official said. 

Photos: Three Sudanese humanitarian workers are welcomed by AU-UN joint representative  Mohamed Ibn Chambas, on their arrival at El Fasher airport (Albert Gonzalez Farran, UNAMID)