British aid worker released after kidnapping in Somalia

[News_Editor]

British aid worker released after kidnapping in Somalia

2010-10-20 22:23:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (BNO NEWS) -- Two aid workers with 'Save the Children' who were kidnapped last week in Somalia's central Adado region were released and reportedly on their way back home.

Frans Bernard, who was born in Zimbabwe and reportedly on his way to the United Kingdom, was kidnapped after Somali gunmen from an apparent independent group with no political affiliation raided the guest house where he was staying near the Ethiopian border. A Somali national was also kidnapped during the raid, and was released shortly after Bernard.

"He's well. He's in good spirit," Justin Forsyth of Save the Children told BBC in an interview. "He is on his way to a place of safety," Forsyth added, stating that he was well taken care of by his kidnappers.

Forsyth denied any claims that the organization had paid a ransom, explaining that if they had paid a ransom, "it could put [their] staff in Somalia at risk and threaten [the] program to save children's lives."

Local clan elders from the village where Bernard was working at helped negotiate the release. Forsyth claimed the groups "strong relationship" with the clan after years of working with them was vital for them to intervene.

"Let me praise the professionalism of Save the Children and also thank the Somali clan members who were involved in his release," British Prime Minister David Cameron, said. "I'm sure it will be good for him to be back with his family after what must have been a very, very frightening and difficult few days."

Since 1991, Somalia has not had a stable government and violence in the country has escalated in recent years due to the ongoing clashes between Islamic rebel insurgents (al-Shaabab) and the government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.

Rebels have accused Ahmed of failing to establish order in the East African country and recently demanded for his resignation.

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