In her most extensive remarks yet about her husband’s ordeal, she also expressed her discontent with aspects of the U.S. government’s approach. She also said the captors have demanded a multimillion-dollar ransom, though precise sums have not been consistent and U.S. officials have not facilitated her efforts to pay. “I have also had so many restrictions imposed by the U.S. government that any meaningful attempt to raise a ransom is effectively prohibited,” she said. Els Woodke urged the government of Mali to make the release of her husband and other hostages held by JNIM a precondition of negotiations with the group. She said that based on information she received from the government and “other sources,” she believes that Jeff Woodke was alive at least as of this summer.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 18, 2021 00:02 UTC