James Massaquoi, freed after 13 months

Sierra Leone hostage freed in Yemen

A Sierra Leonean humanitarian worker kidnapped in Yemen in October 2013 has been freed by his captors.

Both the UN children’s fund (UNICEF) and family sources have confirmed that James Massaquoi was released over the weekend, 13 months since his was abducted shortly after Sierra Leone had deployed troops to Somalia which has active Islamist cells as those operating in Yemen.

James “is safe and well” according to a UNICEF press release.

James is a water engineer working in Yemen “to help provide water and sanitation services in order to improve the health of local children” the UNICEF release says.

The agency expressed pride in James’ work “and [we] look forward to his return to work for children once he has spent much-needed time with his family and friends”.

© Politico 11/11/14