Charity chief appeals for aid workers' release

The head of the charity whose aid workers were kidnapped in Darfur tonight appealed for their safe return.

The head of the charity whose aid workers were kidnapped in Darfur tonight appealed for their safe return.

Goal chief executive John O’Shea said he was very concerned for the welfare of Sharon Commins, 32, from Dublin, and Ugandan colleague, Hilda Kuwuki, 42.

They were taken hostage by six armed men at a compound in the town of Kutum, northern Darfur, yesterday.

“We have had no contact with the kidnappers and we are very concerned for their safety,” Mr O’Shea said.

“We have no indication as to who did this or why and I would appeal directly to the kidnappers to immediately release both these women who are valued colleagues of ours.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Sharon and Hilda at this very difficult and distressing time.”

They were taken from their centre in Kutum on Friday evening at approximately 8.30pm local time.

Armed men forced them into a vehicle along with a Sudanese security guard who was thrown from it as local police gave chase, Mr O’Shea added.

Ireland’s ambassador in Cairo, Gerry Corr, is on his way to Sudanese capital Khartoum to try and secure the pair’s release.

Ms Kuwuki is an expert in nutrition and Ms Commins is a former press officer for the humanitarian relief group in Dublin. Ms Commins has been in Sudan a year-and-a-half as project manager and report writer. She obtained a Masters in international relations from Dublin City University (DCU).

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are in touch with the UN and British counterparts.

Goal has been working in Sudan for the past 24 years and runs clinics, schools and feeding centres open to all.

The area where the group operates has been peaceful. A total of 13 other aid agencies were evicted from Darfur several months ago but Goal had remained unaffected.

A Department spokeswoman said: “Ambassador Gerry Corr is on his way there as a matter of urgency to assist and to try to make sure that this ends as quickly as possible.”

It is the third kidnapping of foreign humanitarian workers since March.

President Mary McAleese has expressed her deep concern.

“The President has conveyed to the Commins family her sincere hope that Sharon will be returned to safety as soon as possible, along with her colleague, Ms Hilda Kuwuki,” a spokeswoman said.

An official team headed by the Department of Foreign Affairs is travelling to Khartoum and Darfur to consult with the Sudanese authorities and international organisations.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin called for the immediate release of the captives and said the Government would do everything possible to bring that about.

“While the identity and motive of the abductors is not yet known, there have been two recent cases in which kidnapped aid workers were released unharmed after a few weeks in captivity.

“While I very much hope that Sharon and Hilda are freed immediately, my overriding concern is that they come to no harm,” he said.

My colleague, Minister (Overseas Development) Peter Power, and I have spoken to the Commins family. We offered our sympathy and support in their terrible ordeal and assured them that the Government will use all the expertise and resources available to us to ensure that Sharon is returned safely to them.

“I would ask that the family be given whatever privacy they need at this time. I know that Sharon, Hilda and their families will be in the thoughts and prayers of many thousands of people across Ireland this weekend.”

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