30 March 2006 – (Nairobi) – Ethiopian authorities have released 8 Sudanese refugees after they were arrested for alleged arson.

The 8 were accused of burning some houses in Shurkole refugee camp in Ethiopia two weeks ago.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service in Southern Blue Nile, the commissioner of Kurmuk County, Mamoun Hammad, said he visited Ethiopia to discuss the release of the suspects with the authorities early last week.

Mr. Hammad confirmed that some houses in the Ethiopian refugee camp, hosting mostly Sudanese, were burnt, but added that he did not know the cause.

[Mamoun Hammad]: “The Ethiopian administration accused the people based on reports by some refugees. And accordingly they were arrested. And after my arrival there we reached some understanding point to the problem with the Ethiopians and the refugees’ administration. Then we agreed to release the people.”

The commissioner says he has been informed that calm has been restored to the refugee camp has now returned to normal.