A British aid worker who was seized by gunmen in Somalia has been released and is “safe and well”.
The charity, Save the Children, said Zimbabwe-born consultant Frans Barnard was taken from a compound in Adado, a small town close to the border with Ethiopia, on Thursday night.
Chief executive Justin Forsyth said Mr Barnard was “safe” and “well” under the protection of the Himan and Heeb administration which secured his release with the support of local communities.
“We are very optimistic about the news and hope to see him soon,” Mr Forsyth said in a statement.
“We would like to thank everyone who has helped us during this extremely difficult time, not least the president of Himan and Heeb and the Somali clans who came together and worked tirelessly to negotiate Frans’ release.
“Crucial support was also received from the chairman of Centre for Peace and Democracy, a local NGO.
“They did everything possible to get him to safety when he was kidnapped.
“We are very optimistic about the news and hope to see him soon” –Justin Forsyth, Save the Children CEO
Mr Barnard was working in Somalia to conduct a feasibility assessment for the charity to see if it was safe to set up a programme to help malnourished children.
His colleague, a Somali national who was also taken from the compound , was released unharmed within hours.
Save the Children had previously confirmed that Mr Barnard was being looked after and was in good spirits.
The charity confirmed it did not pay a ransom to secure Mr Barnard’s release.
“We believe Frans was abducted by an independent group of criminals with no political affiliation or support from other groups in the region. “Save the Children’s policy is not to pay ransoms and we did not pay a ransom to secure Frans’ release. The release was negotiated by the clan elders and we are extremely grateful to them,” Mr Forsyth said.
“We have worked in Somalia for 40 years and we will continue to work there to help some of the most vulnerable children in the world get proper food, healthcare and an education.”
Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons he was “delighted” about Mr Barnard’s release.
“We’ve been in close contact with Save the Children over the kidnap of Frans Barnard, who was doing vitally important work on their behalf in Somalia and we’re delighted by the news that he’s been freed by his kidnappers.
“Let me praise the professionalism of Save the Children and also thank the Somali clan members who were involved in his release.
“I’m sure it will be good for him to be back with his family after what must have been a very, very frightening and difficult few days.”