No effort to be spared in search for Irish aid worker

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today vowed no effort would be spared in finding an Irish aid worker and her colleague taken hostage in war-torn Sudan.

On an official visit to Ireland, Mr Ban was briefed about latest efforts to locate Sharon Commins, 32, from Clontarf in north Dublin, and Ugandan Hilda Kuwuki, 42.

There has been no contact from the pair since they were captured by a gang of armed men at a compound in the town of Kutum, northern Darfur, last Friday.

Mr Ban said he was sorry and concerned to hear about the kidnapping of the two women who were working in the strife-torn African region for aid agency Goal.

“I assure you that we will spare no efforts in providing necessary support and co-operation,” he said.

The UN chief said it would provide the Irish government with help in logistics, collecting information and diplomatic efforts to locate the women and secure their safe return.

According to reports from the region, Sudan’s State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Abdel-Baqi Gilani said the kidnapping was carried out by gangs seeking money.

An Irish government official said it did not comment on speculation while Goal chief executive John O’Shea dismissed the reports.

A high-level Irish delegation including trained hostage negotiators, led by the Ambassador to Egypt Gerard Corr, is continuing work in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and in Darfur to make contact with the kidnappers.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen confirmed he spoke with Mr Ban over a working lunch at Dublin’s Government Buildings about the plight of the aid workers.

“We are very deeply grateful for the wonderful help we are getting from UN personnel on the ground in Sudan as we seek to assess and establish in what way we can help for their safe return as quickly as possible,” he said.

Mr Cowen urged the immediate and safe release of Ms Commins and Ms Kuwuki.

The kidnapping is expected to be discussed between the Sudanese ambassador to Ireland and the UK Omer Siddigi and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin at a meeting in Dublin tomorrow.

The Sudanese Ambassador will also be asked about efforts to locate the captured pair when he appears before an Oireachtas (parliamentary) Foreign Affairs Committee.

Committee chairman Michael Woods said they will be petitioning the ambassador to do all within his power to ensure their safety.

“The Government of Sudan has a key role to play,” he said.

Ms Commins and Ms Kuwuki were taken from their compound in Kutum on Friday evening at approximately 8.30pm local time by men wielding AK-47 assault rifles.

They were forced into a vehicle along with their Sudanese security guard, who was later thrown from the vehicle as local police gave chase.