— The wife of an American humanitarian worker who was kidnapped in Niger five years ago said Wednesday that her husband's captors have made a multimillion-dollar ransom demand but U.S. government “restrictions” have hindered her ability to raise the sum. 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. 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 17, 2021 22:16 UTC