Antony Blinken Usa France Mali Niger region Sahel gatherings 2020 Government CEO reports Provident Southern Antony Blinken Usa France Mali Niger region Sahel

US aid worker, French journalist abducted nearly 2 years ago freed in West Africa

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FILE - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference with Nigerien Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou (not seen) at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger, on March 16, 2023. (BOUREIMA HAMA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)NIAMEY, Niger - An American aid worker held by Islamic extremists in West Africa for more than six years and a French journalist abducted almost two years ago were both freed Monday, authorities said.They were brought together to Niger’s capital.

U.S. officials said no ransom had been paid for aid worker Jeffery Woodke, praising Niger’s government for helping his release.

The French government did not comment on how journalist Olivier Dubois' freedom was won.Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a visit to Niger where he announced $150 million in direct assistance to the Sahel region."I’m very pleased we are now seeing that come to fruition today," Blinken said, thanking his team, and Niger, for their efforts. "We won’t rest until they’re all home, like Jeffery reunited with their families."Officials in Niger unexpectedly announced Monday morning that the two men had taken a special flight to the country's capital but provided no details.

U.S. officials said that the American hostage was not freed in Niger but in the surrounding region that includes Mali, where Dubois was abducted in 2021.Both appeared to be physically well when they met briefly with a small group of journalists in Niamey.

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