64 released from the Sudanese army by the Red Cross

Today, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it had facilitated the release of 64 Sudanese Armed Forces detainees who were being held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In a statement, the Commission indicated that it had transferred the released persons from Khartoum to a civilian delegation at the request of the parties to the conflict that the Commission should act as the impartial mediator in the process.

Pierre Durb, head of the ICG mission in the Sudan, said: ``The ICGs main objective is to ensure that any release is in the interest of detainees, such as facilitating reunification with their families.`` He added: ``We are ready to play the role of neutral mediator to release more detainees.``

The International Commission said that it provided its services to all parties to the conflict, acting as the impartial mediator in the release of detainees at the parties request. She did not negotiate or interfere with the decision on who would be released and when to release, and could not disclose the detainees identity; These decisions are taken independently by the warring parties.

Since the outbreak of fighting last April, the International Commission has facilitated the release and transfer of 292 detainees in connection with the armed conflict in the Sudan.