Regarding the current situation in Sudan, I welcome His Excellency, Mr. Omer Siddig, Sudan's ambassador to Ireland and the United Kingdom. He is accompanied by Dr. Mohammed Abdalla Ahmed, Mr. Azhari Kamal Mohammed, both of whom are counsellors at the embassy, and Mr. Pieter Tesch, chief executive of the Sudan Cultural Society of Britain and Ireland. I welcome them all and thank them for attending.
The committee has taken a keen interest in the situation in Sudan, particularly Darfur, for some time. We are aware that Darfur remains volatile and that the security situation in southern Sudan deteriorated recently. This week, the committee's interest in Darfur has added poignancy, given the abduction of two aid workers from the Irish aid agency, GOAL, namely, Sharon Commins and her Ugandan colleague, Hilda Kawuki. I welcome Ms Deirdre McMahon from GOAL, who is in the Gallery.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, has sent a high-level mission to Sudan to help intensify efforts to secure the release of both women. The Sudanese authorities have been co-operating fully with the mission and are committed to achieving a positive outcome. As everyone may have heard, they believe that they are close to finding the women's exact location. Hopefully, the ambassador will speak in this regard.
We acknowledge the co-operation of the United Nations, the Government of Uganda and those countries the citizens of which have been the victims of abduction. Yesterday, the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, appeared before the committee. He would have loved more time, but it ran out and he needed to move to his next engagement just as he got into a deep discussion with us. The Secretary General expressed his deep concern at the abduction of Sharon and Hilda and pledged that the UN would provide whatever logistical or other assistance was necessary and that no effort would be spared to help secure their release. We welcome the involvement of the Sudanese state Minister at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Bagi Al-Jailani, in particular and today's reports that the general area in which Sharon and Hilda are being held has been identified.
The committee is keen to learn of the ambassador's assessment of the situation and to be assured of the continued support of his Government in securing the release of Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki. Everything that can be done must be done to ensure their safe and immediate release. We would also be interested in learning about the wider political and humanitarian situation in Sudan and about any progress in the peace process.
Before we commence, I advise witnesses that, whereas Members of the Houses enjoy absolute privilege in respect of utterances made in committee, witnesses do not enjoy that privilege. Accordingly, caution should be exercised, particularly with regard to references of a personal nature. I invite His Excellency to address the committee, following which we will take questions from members.