Romania announced the release of the longest-held Western hostage in the Sahel, Romanian citizen Iulian Ghergut, who was abducted in Burkina Faso in 2015 by a jihadist group linked to al-Qaeda, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Romania’s Foreign Ministry.
After eight years in captivity, “He is currently safe on the territory of Romania,” Romania’s Foreign Minister Luminita Odebescu stated.
She thanked Morocco for its significant support. “Happy to announce that after many efforts, we have succeeded in bringing [our] citizen [home] from Burkina Faso,” she posted on the social network X (previously Twitter). “I am grateful for all the hard work done by the inter-institutional task force & the support of all our partners, particularly Moroccan authorities!”
Likewise, Klaus Iohannis, Romania’s President, expressed his delight and praised Romania’s internal and external partners for their assistance in this difficult undertaking. “I welcome the release of the kidnapped Romanian citizen in Burkina Faso!”
“Congratulations to all the Romanian institutions involved for their continuous efforts and thanks to the external partners who supported us in this difficult endeavor,” he added.
Ghergut, now 47, was a security officer at a manganese mine in northern Burkina Faso near the borders of Mali and Niger, when he was kidnapped by five armed men on April 4, 2015. The terrorist group Al-Mourabitoune which claimed responsibility for his abduction, has recently joined al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. At least three Italians, one German, and a South African kidnapped in 2017, remain detained in the Sahel.