THE Sudanese government still expects the imminent release of aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki despite a ransom demand of US$2 million (about €1.43m) from the gang holding the women captive.

It is thought there has been some progress made in the efforts to free a kidnapped Irish aid worker in Sudan.

A SENIOR government minister in Sudan yesterday said he hoped kidnapped aid worker Sharon Commins and her Ugandan colleague will be released “in a few days’ time”.

An Irish aid worker and her colleague being held hostage by an armed gang in Darfur have made contact with their agency’s office, a senior Sudanese official said today.