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Fresh bid to free kidnapped women | |
(9 minutes later) | |
The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs has flown to Khartoum to meet the Sudanese government as efforts to free a kidnapped Irish aid worker continue. | |
Sharon Commins, 32, from Dublin, who worked for GOAL, was abducted with her Ugandan colleague, Hilda Kawuki, from the Darfur region in early July. | Sharon Commins, 32, from Dublin, who worked for GOAL, was abducted with her Ugandan colleague, Hilda Kawuki, from the Darfur region in early July. |
The two were taken by a gang of armed men from a compound run by Irish aid agency GOAL on 3 July. | |
Micheál Martin met government ministers in Khartoum on Sunday. | Micheál Martin met government ministers in Khartoum on Sunday. |
In a brief statement to journalists, Mr Martin said he wanted to pass on the Irish people's concern about the kidnapping and his government's willingness to help efforts to free the women. | In a brief statement to journalists, Mr Martin said he wanted to pass on the Irish people's concern about the kidnapping and his government's willingness to help efforts to free the women. |
Ireland already has diplomats and negotiators in Khartoum and El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. | Ireland already has diplomats and negotiators in Khartoum and El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. |
Sudan's government has blamed the kidnapping on bandits and says it is determined not to pay a ransom. Ministers say they have identified the kidnappers and are negotiating through leaders of their nomadic tribe. | Sudan's government has blamed the kidnapping on bandits and says it is determined not to pay a ransom. Ministers say they have identified the kidnappers and are negotiating through leaders of their nomadic tribe. |
GOAL has welcomed the Irish government's decision to send the minister to the Sudan, saying authorities there are the key to the release of the two aid workers. | GOAL has welcomed the Irish government's decision to send the minister to the Sudan, saying authorities there are the key to the release of the two aid workers. |
It is nine weeks since the two women were kidnapped. | It is nine weeks since the two women were kidnapped. |
In August, newspaper reports suggested that they would be freed soon. | In August, newspaper reports suggested that they would be freed soon. |
However, it has also been reported that the kidnappers have made $2m ransom demands in return for the women's safe release. | However, it has also been reported that the kidnappers have made $2m ransom demands in return for the women's safe release. |