Appeal after aid workers abducted

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 19:54

THE head of an Irish charity whose aid workers were kidnapped in Darfur last night appealed for their safe return.

THE head of an Irish charity whose aid workers were kidnapped in Darfur last night 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, on Friday. "We have had no contact with the kidnappers and we are very concerned for their safety," 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. 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 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.

Ireland's ambassador in Cairo, Gerry Corr, was last night on his way to Sudanese capital Khartoum to try and secure the pair's release.

Kuwuki is an expert in nutrition and Commins is a former press officer for the humanitarian relief group in Dublin. Commins has been in Sudan for 18 months as project manager and report writer.

Officials from Ireland's department of foreign affairs are in touch with the United Nations and British counterparts.

Goal has been working in Sudan for 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.

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

A separatist battle has been raging there for years.

Irish president Mary McAleese has expressed her deep concern over the kidnappings.