French agency Aide Medicale Internationale reported today that four of its staff in Darfur were kidnapped last night. Two expatriate staff remain in the custody of unidentified gunmen, while the two Sudanese guards were quickly released.
The AMI office targeted is located in Ed el Fursan, in an area of South Darfur that’s seen an uptick in violence lately. The kidnapping is certain to further the concern that creating insecurity for international aid agencies is part of Khartoum’s strategy. President Bashir has called for all humanitarian aid to be "Sudanized" within a year.