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Africa Horn |
Gunmen kidnap French journalist in north Somalia |
2007-12-17 |
![]() The reporter's driver told Reuters the attack, by three men wielding AK-47 rifles, took place some 70 km (45 miles) east of Puntland's port town of Bosasso. "I, with the translator, tried to talk to the gunmen who demanded a $70,000 (50,000 pound) ransom," Omar Ahmed said. He said it appeared the journalist had contacted the armed group about a story on Somali migrants being smuggled to Yemen -- but instead he was seized. France does not have a direct diplomatic presence in Somalia but a French Foreign Ministry spokesman said it had been informed of the incident by its embassy in neighbouring Kenya. "We are doing all we can to gather further information and follow developments in the situation so that our compatriot can regain freedom as soon as possible," the spokesman said. Known for its relative stability in a country plagued by lawlessness, semi-autonomous Puntland has become increasingly associated with kidnappings, hijackings and piracy. |
Posted by:Fred |
#1 "Known for its relative stability, Puntland has become increasingly associated with kidnappings, hijackings and piracy." A stable environment is probably better for kidnappings, hijackings and piracy than the relative chaos elsewhere in the area. |
Posted by: Glenmore 2007-12-17 07:08 |