By Godfrey Olukya 11-2-2013
The government of Sudan has today released 5 South Sudanese ex-prisoners of war.
The 5 ex-prisoners of war have been flown to South Sudan in an aircraft belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The aircraft landed at Juba airport and the ex-prisoners, with an ICRC delegate that accompanied them came out and were received by government officials.
The ex-prisoners of war were were handed over to South Sudanese authorities.
The Sudanese authorities reportedly approached the ICRC to facilitate the return home of the ex-prisoners. ICRC agreed to serve as a neutral intermediary between the Sudanese and South Sudanese authorities.
‘We are glad that these five men were able to return to their country,” said Jean-Christophe Sandoz, head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan. ‘We will offer logistical support for such repatriations in future as well, should there be a need for it.’
Since 1978, ICRC has been working in Sudan, where it helps people suffering the effects of armed conflict and other situations involving violence. When South Sudan attained independence in 2011, it opened an a office in Juba.
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