Bangui (ICRC) – A member of the Central African armed forces, released by the anti-Balakas, has been reunited with his family by staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC took part in the operation at the request of the armed group and with the agreement of the family of the person released.
"Given the serious lack of security, we are delighted to have helped this person rejoin his family," said Jean-François Sangsue, head of the ICRC delegation in the Central African Republic. "We reiterate the ICRC's willingness to offer its services as a neutral intermediary in such cases."
One of the tasks of the ICRC – a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization – is to visit people deprived of their freedom to make sure that their living conditions are humane and acceptable for as long as they are held. In connection with these activities, the ICRC may facilitate the transfer to their families of people released by the detaining authorities.
Because the ICRC's work as a facilitator is just one of its many tasks, the organization is reiterating that it wishes to continue all of its activities in the Central African Republic with the aim of bringing protection and assistance to people suffering the effects of the current conflict.
For further information, please contact:
Barthelemi Saouré, ICRC Bangui, tel: +236 75 27 25 79 or +236 72 69 81 87
Marie-Servane Desjonquères, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 574 06 36
