French aid worker released after three months in captivity
February 6, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – A French aid worker who is part of the Red Cross was arrived in the Sudanese capital almost three months after being taken at gunpoint in Eastern Chad area close to the borders with Sudan.
On Saturday the group said they freed Maurice because of France’s “positive role” in repairing ties between Chad and Sudan.
“We have indeed released Laurent Maurice. We did not act for money but because we wanted France to change its policies in the region,” Abu Mohammed al-Rizeigi, spokesman for the group, told Agence France Presse (AFP) by telephone.
“We appreciate the positive role that France has played in the latest negotiations between Chad and Sudan,” Rizeigi said.
Maurice told reporters that he was not beaten or threatened by his kidnappers who took him to Sudan’s restive region of Darfur.
He said it was quickly clear to him that his kidnappers didn’t intend to harm him and that the worst were the psychological aspects of being a hostage, made more difficult by his kidnappers not speaking French.
“I was alone during the day and at night they had me come to the campfire to eat. We were always outside in the middle of the bush,” said Maurice.
The International Committee of the Red Cross announced earlier in the day that the Frenchman had been released and that no ransom was paid.
“ICRC policy is to never pay a ransom,” a spokesman said.
Sudan and Chad, which have traded accusations of supporting rebel groups in each other’s countries, are in the process of setting up a joint peace force along their border.
France welcomed the release with President Nicolas Sarkozy calling for the quick release of all other French aid workers still being held in Africa — remarks echoed by his Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
“Targeting non-governmental organizations and their staff — to whom I pay tribute — is unacceptable,” Kouchner added in a statement.
The Falcons group has also claimed the kidnapping of two other French aid workers, who Rizeigi said are “still with us.”
The ICRC said it “remains very concerned about Mr Lefevre and continues to press for his unconditional release.”
Insecurity persist in the Darfur region with banditry and carjacking prevalent particularly after Sudanese president indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
(ST)