FOUR MEMBERS of the gang responsible for kidnapping Goal aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki in Darfur are being questioned by the Sudanese authorities following their recent arrest, Sudan’s humanitarian affairs minister has disclosed during a visit to Dublin.
Abdul Bagi al-Jailani, who oversaw negotiations which led to the women’s release after more than 100 days in captivity, said four of the six-strong gang were in custody. “We have caught four and we are collecting some information from them to go after the others. They will be brought to justice,” Mr Jailani told The Irish Times yesterday.
“They were traced and identified, so there is no logic in letting them go without punishment. This will only encourage other kidnappings. If they are punished, it is a message to others.”
The Goal kidnapping was one of several abductions of foreign aid personnel in Darfur this year. The fact no one has yet been brought to trial has prompted complaints from the humanitarian community that the Sudanese authorities have allowed a culture of impunity to take hold.
Mr Jailani, who met Ms Commins and her family during his two-day visit, said the purpose of his trip was to offer an official apology for the ordeal endured by the two aid workers. “We are here to convey a national apology to Sharon’s family, to the Irish Government, and to the Irish people in general,” he said.
Mr Jailani also met Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin; officials from Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas development division; and representatives from Irish NGOs operating in Sudan including Concern. No meeting with Goal was scheduled.
Mr Jailani and Mr Martin discussed the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur with a focus on the need to protect aid workers and improve access.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Mr Martin had confirmed Ireland’s ongoing commitment to Darfur.
Mr Jailani claimed last month Irish officials had “agreed in principle” to contribute more to development efforts in Sudan during negotiations to secure the women’s release. The department said at the time no specific commitments had been made.
The meetings in Dublin were “very reasonable and constructive” in this respect, Mr Jailani said. “It is something we can build on . . . We know that Ireland has no agenda in the background.”
Ireland’s development funding to Sudan is channelled through UN agencies and NGOs including Concern, Trócaire and Goal. Ireland has contributed more than €9.5 million this year to humanitarian agencies in the country.