Sudan releases 19 south Sudan prisoners of war

By Godfrey Olukya 28-9-2012

The Sudanese government has released 19 south Sudan soldiers who were captured during clashes between the Sudanese army and the SPLA in Heglig a few months ago.

The prisoners have been in captivity for over 2 months. Their release comes at at time when the two countries’ presidents are holding peace talks in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

In the peace talks meeting the two countries have reached an agreement over south Sudan oil being exported through Sudan. They are also to come up with solutions on border disputes which are meant to stop military clashes between the two countries.

‘The 19 prisoners of war were yesterday handed over to south Sudan authorities.’  said South Sudan red cross officer, Lewis Okong. ‘They were repatriated to South Sudan with the help of the Sudan International Committee for the Red Cross.’ he added.

According to the chief the International Committee of Red Cross in Sudan, Jean-Christophe Sandoz, the soldiers were transported aboard an ICRC aircraft from Sudan to South Sudan. He confirmed that they were handed over to authorities.

All the 19 soldiers are reportedly in good health and soon they will be re-united with members of their families.

In the past few months Sudan and south Sudan have had battles at their border areas which led to many civilians being displaced, a few soldiers killed and others captured.

South Sudan was part of Sudan but last year it attained her independence after a civil war of over two decades.

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