GOAL pulls staff out of Sudan's Abyei after violence escalates

GOAL is pulling its staff out of Abyei in Sudan.

The international humanitarian organisation said it became concerned for the safety of staff after violence escalated between troops loyal to the northern and southern governments.

Clashes have become more common in the Abyei area, which borders the northern and southern regions, as southern Sudan prepares for full independence in July.

GOAL has confirmed that it will not return until a peaceful and permanent settlement has been agreed in the region.

GOAL worker Sharon Commins and her colleague Hilda Kawuki were kidnapped from the Darfur regions of Sudan in July of 2009.

She was held for nearly four months in the mountainous region near to the Sudanese border with Chad.