Red Cross facilitates Sudanese handover

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has facilitated the handover of two members of the Sudanese armed forces after being released by the Darfuri Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). The freed soldiers were placed in custody of Sudanese authorities in (North Darfur) and ICRC, as a neutral intermediary at the request of the Justice and Equality Movement and Sudanese authorities. In a statement to Arabstoday, spokesman of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Sudan, Adel Sharif, said: "The cooperation of all the concerned parties helped the ICRC to accomplish its job successfully.” Moreover, he announced that the ICRC is ready to act as a neutral intermediary whenever the parties requested them to do so. "Our delegates met with the soldiers and made sure they arrived safely in Al-Fasher," said Jean-Christophe Sandoz, head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan. "We stand ready to provide support for any similar operation in the future, should the need arise." In April, the ICRC assisted in the repatriation of 13 Sudanese prisoners of war released by the South Sudanese authorities and in September 19 South Sudanese prisoners of war were released by Sudan. In November, it facilitated the handover of three Sudanese soldiers released by an armed group in Darfur. The ICRC has been working in Sudan since 1978. In 2004 it extended its operations to Darfur, where it provides assistance for victims of the armed conflict and other violence.