Australian released by al-Qaeda meets President Kabore

An Australian woman, Jocelyn Elliot, who was freed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) after three weeks of captivity arrived at Ouagadougou on Monday.

Elliott returned to Burkina Faso, where she met President Roch Marc Christian Kabore at Kosyam presidential palace.

She said she hoped her husband would be released soon.

“I am very happy to be back here in the midst of my Burkinabe family. I would like to thank the people of Burkina Faso for their support during my absence. I want to be reunited with my husband soon, so that we can head back to Djibo to continue our work there.”

The Islamic militant group, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) had kidnapped the couple and released the woman unconditionally due to public pressure.

“It is our religious duty to respect civilians based on the prophet’s Hadith on not harming women, the elderly and the children, and based on the guidance by our commanders,” audio statement released by the group said.

The couple were adopted the day Al-Qaeda fighters raided a restaurant in Burkina Faso killing about 30 people many of whom were foreigners.

Elliot expressed gratitude to the Niger, Burkina Faso and the Australian governments for their help in her release and said she was happy to be back.