Joy Santuke, a Ugandan worker with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) in Sudan, was released April 21 after being taken hostage by armed militia on March 8, then detained by the government of Sudan for 37 days. She arrived in Nairobi April 22, where she was greeted by her four children and other family members.

Relieved that her ordeal was over, Santuke stressed the need to continue to work for the release of the one remaining detainee, Peter Lujana. Lujana, a Sudanese national, is said to be shaken and distressed at being left alone.

Santuke’s release was assisted by the Carter Center, an international human rights organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, once chaired by former United States president, Jimmy Carter. Additional assistance came from the International Organization for Migration, which works primarily with refugee resettlement and the migration of individuals fleeing conflict. 

“I received word that Chris Burke of the Carter Center in Khartoum has had access to remaining detainee Lujana, and was given permission to take reading material to him,” said Ralph Watts Jr., ADRA president. “While we’re grateful that three of our workers have now been released, we remain mindful of the fact that one of our key workers is still being held, which causes us great concern.”

During the March 8 attack on ADRA’s compound in southern Sudan, a woman and young girl from a nearby village were killed and four ADRA workers were captured. Two of the workers, both Kenyan, were released April 1 after a request by Kenyan President, Daniel arap Moi during a two-day visit to Khartoum. Reasons for the abduction and detention are still unclear.

ADRA operates in southern Sudan as a member of Operation Lifeline Sudan, a consortium of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations. The United Nations Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator coordinates Operation Lifeline Sudan, which facilities these organizations in delivering aid to war-torn Sudan.