Zalingei, June 18(Darfur 24)
Sources told Darfur 24 that communication with a team from the French International Non-goveemental organization (INGO)Handicap has been cut off with authorities in Darfur, amid fears of their abduction by armed men.
The sources explained that the organization’s team was on its way from El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State, to the Nertiti area in Central Darfur State, but communication with it was cut off at 1:00 PM on Tuesday.
The sources stated that the team, which consists of five employees—two of whom are French nationals and the other two are Sudanese—were on board two vehicles and left El Geneina on Tuesday morning on their way to Nertiti in Central Darfur.
They indicated that the organization’s team, upon passing through Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur State, saw the relevant authorities and completed routine procedures.
The sources added that armed men at one of the gates on the road between Zalingei and Nertiti stopped the organization’s employees to investigate their procedures at a round 1:00 PM, but communication with them was cut off after that.”