Talks with kidnappers see hopes rise for Irish aid worker’s release

By Juno McEnroe

Saturday, July 11, 2009

HOPES were high last night for the release of a young Irish aid worker and her Ugandan colleague after it was confirmed Irish Government officials were in direct negotiations with their kidnappers.

At home, the worried family of GOAL worker Sharon Commins also met with the Sudanese ambassador in Dublin.

In a statement released afterwards, the family said they hoped to see Sharon soon.

"We would like to thank the ambassador for his time today and for all the help they are providing to the Irish delegation in Darfur.

"He has assured us that he will do all he can to secure the release of Sharon as soon as possible. We hope to see her soon and we would like to thank the media for their understanding in our need for privacy at this time."

Just over a week ago, 32-year-old Sharon Commins and 42-year-old Hilda Kawuki were kidnapped at gunpoint from their GOAL compound in Kutum, Darfur.

An Irish delegation, headed by Ireland’s ambassador in Egypt Gerry Corr, has been in Kutum and the Sudanese capital Khartoum in negotiations aimed at securing the women’s release.

The head of GOAL John O’Shea yesterday said he was happy with the current attempts to free the aid workers.

GOAL confirmed the Irish Government delegation, which includes a GOAL representative, were in contact with the kidnappers of Ms Commins and Ms Kawuki.

GOAL’s John O’Shea said: "I am satisfied that the delegation, assisted by the Sudanese authorities, are doing all within their power to secure the release of the GOALies.

"That is the current situation. I am not in a position to elaborate any further at this point," said the charity’s chief executive.

Authorities in Sudan are understood to be confident about the two women’s release in the coming days.

It has been reported that the kidnappers are bandits and have nothing to do with the Darfur rebels or political issues in the war-torn region.

It was also reported a ransom had been demanded.

The Sudanese ambassador to Ireland Omer Siddig has said publicly he believes the aid workers will be released in a number of days.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, July 11, 2009