An Australian surgeon kidnapped by jihadists in Burkina Faso nearly two years ago, and whose whereabouts remain unknown, has been declared a citizen of the west African nation, an official decree announced on Wednesday. Ken Elliott was abducted along with his wife Jocelyn, 76, an Australian humanitarian worker, in January 2015 by al-Qaida-linked jihadists from Djibo, a dusty town near the border with Mali and Niger. Jocelyn Elliott was released by her captors in February, but her husband has not been seen and it is believed he is being held outside Burkina. Why did Burkina Faso become al-Qaida's latest target? Jocelyn Elliott has refused to leave Burkina Faso, vowing to wait for her husband’s return to continue their medical work.

Source: The Guardian November 25, 2016 01:52 UTC