Kidnapped UN worker released
2006-03-03 09:58
Nairobi - Gunmen have freed an American working for the United Nations who was kidnapped by militiamen in southern Somalia, says the world body.
Robert McCarthy, 47, who worked for the UN's children's agency (Unicef), was released on Thursday to the custody of UN security officers and members of Somalia's interim government.
He had been abducted the day before on the outskirts of Afmadow, 110km northwest of the southern port of Kismayo.
Unicef executive director Ann Veneman said: "We are very relieved that Mr McCarthy has been released unharmed and thank the transitional federal government for demonstrating leadership in this critical time."
Kidnapping foreign workers had become a lucrative business for many militias and warlords in the lawless Horn of Africa nation. They were also often used to settle business disputes.
Many aid organisations had chosen to work through local agencies or staff due to tremendous risks involved in delivering aid in the country of 10 million people.