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Cameroon/France
Rebels exchange hostages for militants
Article published on the 2008-11-12 Latest update 2008-11-12 11:13 TU
Bakassi Freedom Fighters
(Photo: www.nationaldailyngr.net)
Ten oil workers who were kidnapped from their ship off the coast of the Bakassi peninsula on 31 October were released Tuesday evening. The seven French nationals, two Cameroonians and one Tunisian worked for a French shipping company. They were taken hostage by the Bakassi Freedom Fighters (BFF), a group that opposes Cameroon’s takeover of the oil-rich Bakassi region.
The Bakassi peninsula became part of Cameroon in August after a legal battle with neighbouring Nigeria.
“According to Cameroonian security operatives, the liberation of the hostages took place after four days of intensive talks with leaders of the Bakassi Freedom Fighters,” said correspondent Denis Nkebo from Douala.
Report: Denis Nkebo, correspondent in Douala
A rebel soldier told Nkebo that 13 BFF militants held by the Cameroonian authorities were released in exchange for the ten captives.
“One of our demands was the release of our men who have been made prisoners of the Cameroonian army,” Commander Ebi Dari told Nkebo.
The French Foreign Ministry said no ransom was paid for the release.
The BFF had initially threatened to kill the hostages one by one, demanding talks with Cameroon’s government. They eventually withdrew the threat.
The rebel group says the release of the hostages is just an act of good faith, which does not end their demands.
“To them, further acts of violence, including hostage takings, and attacks against all installations in Bakassi are the only options to force Cameroon into an inclusive dialogue,” said Nkebo.
The hostages were in good health, greeted with champagne at a reception held by Cameroon’s President Paul Biya.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy thanked the Cameroonian government for its role in the release.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner thanked Biya, “whose constant mobilisation enabled the liberation of the ten hostages”. Kouchner also thanked Nigeria.
The seven French nationals and the Tunisian arrived in Paris Wednesday morning.
