Sudan: Kidnapped Red Cross worker freed

  1. Posted on Friday 19 March 2010 - 10:45
    Muhyadin
    Image of Muhyadin
    Muhyadin Ahmed Roble, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
    Sudan Security Forces have released a Red Cross aid worker, who was held in Darfur for 147 days, security boss said on Thursday.
    sudan
    Security forces in Darfur succeeded in releasing Gauthier Lefevre from the kidnappers without battle. Head security official in Darfur, West Sudan, Abu Gurun told Reuters that a group of forces had watched the kidnappers until they got Lefevre.

    "We were intent that there be no exchange of fire so that we could guarantee his safety," he added.

    One of the kidnappers was arrested and now is in custody. The chief was stated as saying "We will arrest these people and we will send them to court."

    ICRC spokesman Saleh Dabbakeh also confirmed the release without paying ransom. "We are extremely happy that he has been released”, the spokesman said.

    The kidnapping of aid worker Lefevre has been the longest abduction in the recent history of Darfur, ICRC said.

    Lefevre is now in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner welcomed Lefevre's release.

    The Agency suspended its activities in the region because of Lefevre’s abduction and also another ICRC aid worker from eastern Chad.

    Lefevre, who has both French and British citizenship, was kidnapped last October as he returned to El Geneina, capital of west Darfur, one of the world's worst humanitarian emergencies. The kidnappers demanded a $1 million ransom.

Latest News

  1. Algeria appoint care-taker coach08/09Algerian Football Federation appointed U-17 coach as stand-in gaffer for the Fennecs.
  2. Special report: Struggles of Somali refugees08/09Everyday Somalis leave their beleaguered country in search of peace in neighbouring countries.
  3. Belgian-born coach Tom Saintfiet dismissed08/09Namibia fired national football coach Tom Saintfiet after a 3-1 loss to Gambia.
  4. Namibia: Diamonds worth $2.63 mln stolen08/09A Namibian firm has said diamonds worth a total of $2.63m were stolen from the factory.
  5. Malawi: Gov’t threatens trade unions08/09Malawi's Ministry of Labour has warned the country's Congress of Trade Unions.
  6. "S. Leone can make it to 2012 AFCON"08/09Sierra Leone striker Ibrahim Tahini confident his side can make it to the next Nations Cup.
  7. Niger wins $41 million in election support08/09Niger said it had secured $41 million in aid from international donors to stage elections.
  8. Nigeria: 800 escape in sect prison attack08/09Gunmen have attacked a federal prison in northern Nigeria and freed 800 inmates.
  9. Nigeria: Goodluck to run 2011 presidency08/09President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria disclosed his intentions to run in the 2011 elections.
  10. UN chief arrives in Rwanda amid report row08/09The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, arrived in Rwanda, the UN said.
  11. Nigeria arrest officials over missing $8m07/09Four former Nigeria football officials arrested over a missing $8m World Cup money.
  12. Ghana: Coach Rajevac given deadline07/09Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac under pressure to sign a new contract extension with Black Stars.
  13. Mozambique: 148 rioters arrested07/09Authorities in Mozambique arrested at least 150 people over last week's riots.
  14. E Guinea supplies Ghana with crude oil07/09Equatorial Guinea has sealed a deal with Ghana for the supply of crude oil.
  15. Swaziland: 50 arrested over protest07/09Police in Swaziland have arrested about 50 people ahead of protests in that country.
News archive