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Annan welcomes releases of humanitarian workers in Darfur, Sudan

Annan welcomes releases of humanitarian workers in Darfur, Sudan

Secretary-General Kofi Annan
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today hailed the news that the 16 humanitarian workers detained by rebel forces in the war-torn Darfur region in western Sudan have been released unharmed.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the 13 Sudanese and three international workers were in good health when they were released yesterday, three days after they were detained near Al Hilief in North Darfur by an armed unit of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM).

In a statement released by his spokesman, Mr. Annan condemned the detention of the workers, which he said violated humanitarian law and principles.

Mr. Annan “underscores the crucial importance of safe and unhindered humanitarian access and urges all parties to facilitate it in this crisis where every moment counts,” the statement said.