Darfur: Ban welcomes release of two UN-African Union contractors abducted in January

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed with relief the release of two United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) contractors who were abducted in Zalingei, Central Darfur, Sudan, on 29 January.

“The Secretary-General is deeply gratified,” according to a statement issued by a spokesperson for the Organization, which added that Mr. Ban also commended the efforts made by UNAMID and expressed his appreciation to the Governments of Sudan and Russia in securing their safe release.

“He is relieved that the contractors will be able to reunite with their families and loved ones after 128 days in captivity,” the statement underscored.

In the statement, the Secretary-General underscored the importance of UNAMID's work for the people of Darfur and called on the Sudanese Government to launch a full investigation.