There are still no signs of life for Viennese Eva G, who was kidnapped in Niger on January 11. Now the son of the 73-year-old development worker has appealed to the kidnappers. Meanwhile, a Tuareg group freed a Spanish hostage in northern Mali.
The man kidnapped by unknown gunmen in southern Algeria and then taken to neighboring Mali was released earlier this week after successful negotiations, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg independence group, said on Tuesday, according to Spanish news agency EFE . .
“The hostage spent the night free in Azawad and is in good health. She is under the protection of the FLA and awaiting transfer to Algerian authorities,” Ramadane added on social media.
Tuareg concerned about ‘criminal acts’
The FLA expressed concern about the recent kidnappings of foreigners in the Sahel countries. The fact that the kidnappers took the Spaniards hostage to the Azawad area in northern Mali represents in their eyes “a serious and unlawful act aimed at damaging the image of the peaceful people” of that region. The FLA has issued a statement condemning these “criminal acts”, which aim to enrich cross-border organized crime networks.
The release gives rise to the hope that Eva G. will also be released soon. Her son addressed the 73-year-old’s kidnappers via local news site “Air-Info Agadez”. “The kidnapping goes beyond a personal tragedy; it highlights the profound challenges facing the Sahel. A region full of potential is now torn by conflict, uncertainty and widespread mistrust. But this crisis does not have to be inevitable. The Sahel can be more than a place of violence. It can become a space of coexistence and cooperation if we have the courage to act together,” the son emphasized.
Sohn also appeals to the international community
His appeal went out not only to the kidnappers, but also to the people of the Sahel and the international community. The young generation needs a “new vision” and must leave behind the “old conflicts” between the different tribes, the Austrian continued in his statement. The kidnapping of his mother should now mark “a turning point”. “But this change can only begin if we take action,” he warned.
As reported, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna has sent a representative of the embassy in Algeria to Niger. A crisis team was also set up to coordinate the measures. A search operation at the scene by local authorities is underway, the report said.
Source: Krone
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