Sudan Government Seeks to Release Russian Nationals Kidnapped in Darfur

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Sudanese government seeks and has the capacity to release the Russians kidnapped in Darfur last month, the country's Foreign Ministry told RIA Novosti Thursday.

On January 29, two employees of Russian airline UTair, working with the joint humanitarian aid mission of the UN and Africa Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), were kidnapped in Darfur.

"The government of Sudan seeks and has capacity to release the kidnapped Russians," the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said, noting previous government success in similar situations.

However, the Foreign Ministry refused to comment on the current status of release efforts for the Russian hostages.

Earlier this month, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the hostages were unharmed.

On January 29, the Governor of Central Darfur State, Sudan, reported that two Russians, presumed to be working for an airline under a UN contract, had been abducted by unidentified men. On Tuesday UTair confirmed two of its employees were kidnapped in Darfur, Sudan, adding that the company and the United Nations were searching for them. Later in the day UNAMID also confirmed the report.

Sudanese government forces and several rebel groups have been fighting in western Sudan's Darfur region since 2003. Violence, including armed robberies, home invasions and kidnappings have remained high in the province.