American aid worker freed after 105 days captive in Darfur

NYALA

(

30 Aug

.) -

Flavia Wagner, an American held prisoner by unknown gunmen in Darfur, was released today. Wagner was among three employees of the NGO Samaritan’s Purse kidnapped May 18 on a road southwest of Nyala. Two of those abducted, both Sudanese men, were released after one week while the American woman was held until today.

Samaritan’s Purse confirmed the news with a written statement on its website. A spokesman of the Foreign Ministry in Khartoum likewise confirmed the report, telling the Associated Press that Wagner was released to police in the Abu Agora area south of Nyala.

The American is 35 years old from California State. She is a program manager for Samaritan’s Purse, which is headquartered in Boone, North Carolina. The town is home to Franklin Graham, the president of Samaritan’s Purse and son of evangelist Billy Graham, who ministered to 12 US presidents. Franklin Graham said in a press statement, “We appreciate the help of the government of Sudan and the United States government. People around the world have been praying for her safety and her release. Today, those prayers have been answered.”

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Last Wednesday at least two humanitarian aid bodies issued statements and held prayers to mark Wagner’s 100th day in captivity. The statement by the Northern Sudan INGO Steering Committee remarked “In recent months, incidents of abduction, violence and theft have undermined the ability of humanitarian agencies to provide services to the people of Darfur. We ask the Government of Sudan to continue to work hard for her release and to provide a safe environment for humanitarian workers and for all civilians in Darfur; an environment in which Sudanese and international humanitarian workers can work alongside their host, the people of Darfur, to meet needs, provide services and strengthen opportunities for the future without fear for their own safety and security.”

None of the kidnappers of foreign aid workers have been prosecuted since the abductions began in March 2009. The last few kidnappings were linked to pro-government militia, including the abduction in late July of a Russian helicopter pilot contracted by the UN.

Photo: Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham has met three times with President Omar Al Bashir, including once in 2009.

 

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