Talks to release kidnapped women

Talks are under way to release Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki

Negotiations are taking place to secure the release of an Irish aid worker and her Ugandan colleague kidnapped in Darfur, the Sudanese have said.

Sudan's ambassador to Ireland, Omer Siddigi, said talks were under way to secure the release of Sharon Commins, 32, and Hilda Kawuki, 42.

He said he hoped they would be released without a ransom being paid.

However, the charity they were working for, Goal, and Irish diplomats have refused to comment on the reports.

Sudan's minister for humanitarian affairs, Abdel Baqi al-Jailani, told the Reuters news agency on Thursday that "bandits" had demanded a ransom and negotiations were under way.

Mr al-Jailani also said that Sharon Commins had phoned officials both in Dublin and north Darfur confirming they were in good health.

The Sudanese minister is quoted as saying: "They want money and negotiations are ongoing. We now know the names of the people and their tribes.

"This is nothing to do with politics. We hope we will have some good news in a few days' time."

Mr Siddigi backed up Mr al-Jailani's claims.

Goal Chief Executive John O'Shea said he would not comment on the reported negotiations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has also refused to comment at this time on "speculative media reports".