Sudan: Swiss aid worker kidnapped in Darfur

Event

A Swiss humanitarian aid worker has been abducted in Darfur region, according reports released on Sunday, October 8. The Swiss foreign ministry has confirmed that it is aware of the abduction and that local representation is in contact with Sudanese authorities. Information surrounding the incident remains limited at this time. A UN official told media that the female NGO worker was kidnapped by unidentified armed perpetrators in close proximity to her residence at the Agricultural Research Centre of El Fashir.

On a related note, Sudanese state media reported on Sunday that a unilateral government ceasefire in place in Darfur, Blue Nile, and South Kordofan had been extended. While the Sudanese government continues to claim that the Darfur region has recovered from the conflict, the security environment continues to be undermined by violence between government forces and rebel groups.

Context

The Darfur region, located in the west of the country, is affected by extremely poor security conditions. Fighting between rebel groups and government forces has been ongoing since 2003. Despite various peace agreements, including the current ceasefire, the government has failed to successfully dismantle various militia groups operating in the region. Rebel groups continue to fuel violence, creating one of the most alarming humanitarian crises in the world. Ethnic clashes are also frequent.

Advice

Many Western governments advise against nonessential travel to Sudan and against all travel to certain regions, including the five Darfur states, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, certain areas of North Kordofan, the Djebel Ouanat region, Dinder National Park, and Sennar state. Due to a high risk of terrorist activity, always be on guard when visiting sites that are potential terrorist targets (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.).