Red Cross officials say 8 workers kidnapped by militia in east Congo have been released

Militia releases 8 Red Cross workers in east Congo

KINSHASA, Congo — A militia in eastern Congo that seized eight Red Cross workers one week ago released them Friday, Red Cross officials said.

The seven Congolese and one Swiss national taken by the Mai Mai rebels are in good health and were being flown by U.N. helicopter to Bukavu, the provincial capital, said Desire Yuma, whose national Red Cross staff were among the captives. Geneva-based spokeswoman Nicole Engelbrecht said the staffers were released unconditionally, without ransom payment or any other deals made to secure their release.

Franz Rauchenstein, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Congo, said in news release that the organization is “relieved and happy to have our eight colleagues back, in good health.”

“Their return marks the end of a series of long, hard days, not only for them but for their families and friends,” he said “We would like to express our deep gratitude to all those who have lent us their support over the last few days.”

The Red Cross has several offices in South Kivu, which like much of eastern Congo has been wracked by violence since the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda spilled war across the border. The ICRC said the group’s mission was to protect and assist victims of violence.

The shadowy Mai Mai militia is one of many armed groups in the area. Their fighters have been seen using rudimentary weapons like spears and are believed to value mysticism.

A Congo Army spokesman in South Kivu province, Capt. Olivier Hamuli, said the Mai Mai had seized the Red Cross staff to thwart a planned Congolese army attack on their hideouts. Hamuli said the Mai Mai have refused to join the 2009 government disarmament and integration program because they believe they are protecting their tribe.

Three foreign Red Cross workers were kidnapped in the Philippines last year, and French staff members were seized in Chad and Sudan. All have since been released.