Addis Ababa, October 24, 2009 - The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping condemns the kidnapping on Oct.22, 2009 of an employee from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in West Darfur.

The Chairperson expressed his concern about this form of crime that targeting humanitarian aid workers who are committed to do whatever is in their power to help the most vulnerable people of the Darfuri society, AU told ENA in a statement on Saturday.

The Chairperson strongly called for the rapid and unconditional release of the kidnapped staff, as well as the immediate release of the two United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur's (UNAMID) civilian staff who were abducted from their residence in Zalingei, West Darfur more than three months ago.

The Chairperson sizes this opportunity to encourage the Government of Sudan and those who are tirelessly working for the release of the abducted international staffs to double efforts so that they could be reunited with their respective families. (ENA)