Darfur: Ban urges safe release of abducted staff from UN-African Union peace force

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he remains gravely concerned that two civilian staff members with the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur have still not been released, nearly four weeks after they were abducted from their home by gunmen.

The two international staff members – one man and one woman – were abducted from their home in the West Darfur town of Zalingei at gunpoint early in the morning of 29 August by four or five men and taken to an unknown destination.

UNAMID officials are working closely with Sudanese Government officials to try to secure the staff members’ safe release, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General wishes to underscore the importance of the peacekeeping and humanitarian work being undertaken in Darfur and his belief that UN staff members carry out valuable work around the world, which they should be able to do without fear of harassment or intimidation.

“The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the families of the abducted staff members and calls for their safe and speedy return.”