Effort to free GOAL aid workers in Sudan
Monday, 7 September 2009 19:53
The Minister for Foreign Affairs extended his stay in Sudan to hold further talks with Sudanese ministers to try to secure the release of two GOAL aid workers.
Sharon Commins from Dublin and Hilda Kawuki from Uganda were kidnapped by a group of armed men from the aid agency's offices in Kutum town, north Darfur, on 3 July.
Micheál Martin said he wanted to pass on the Irish people's concern about the kidnappings and the Government's willingness to help.
Sudan says it has identified the kidnappers and is negotiating with tribal elders but refuses to pay any ransom for fear it will result in further kidnapping.
Minister Martin held a second day of talks with Sudanese officials about the negotiating process.
The minister is on his way back from Sudan and is due back in Ireland late tonight.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs has declined to provide details of the talks, it is reported that Mr Martin met with a series of ministers, including his Sudanese counterpart Mr Deng Alor.
