Secretary-General ‘Deeply Gratified’ by Release of Peacekeeping Mission

Police Officers Abducted in Darfur, after 136 Days in Captivity

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply gratified to learn that two formed police unit officers from the African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur (UNAMID), who were part of a UNAMID patrol to Kabkabiya town in North Darfur, Sudan, where they were abducted on 20 August, are now free and in the care of UNAMID.  The two officers had been detained for 136 days.

The Secretary-General commends the efforts of UNAMID, the Government of Sudan and the Government of Jordan in securing the release of the abductees.  He underscores the importance of the peacekeeping and humanitarian work in Darfur and calls on the Government to fully investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.

The Secretary-General also reiterates that the primary responsibility for the safety and security of all peacekeeping personnel in UNAMID and the humanitarian community lies with the Host Government.

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For information media • not an official record