UNAMID peacekeeper freed after 90 days in Sudan

[News_Editor]

UNAMID peacekeeper freed after 90 days in Sudan

2011-01-06 00:50:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

DARFUR, SUDAN (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Wednesday informed that one of its peacekeepers was freed after being held captive for 90 days.

The peacekeeper is a Hungarian national who was released on Wednesday afternoon. He was abducted from El Fasher, Sudan, on October 7, 2010. Sudanese authorities immediately transported him to a medical center for examination.

The UNAMID staff member was reported to be unharmed and in good health. He was then transported to Khartoum. The government of Hungary was also informed of the release of its national.

The kidnapping took place as three unknown gunmen abducted three peacekeepers from their El Fasher residence. The kidnappers left in a UNAMID vehicle that was parked outside.

During the getaway, two of the UNAMID peacekeepers managed to escape from the moving vehicle. UNAMID was in close contact with Sudanese authorities and the Hungarian government to ensure the safe release of the staff member.

UNAMID Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari expressed his gratitude after the safe release of the mission's member. Gambari remarked the fundamental help provided by the Sudanese authorities.

A total of 10 UNAMID peacekeepers have been abducted since the beginning of the Mission in 2008. The UN Mission called on the Government of the Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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