Cote d’Ivoire: kidnapped Caritas staff member released

Our sister agency Caritas is grateful to announce the release of a staff member who was kidnapped in Côte d’Ivoire.

Father Richard Kissi, Caritas’s diocesan director in the commercial capital of Côte d'Ivoire, was kidnapped by an armed group on the morning of 29 March. He was travelling to Anyama in the suburbs of Abidjan to evacuate students from a seminary after violent clashes in the area.

Jean Djoman, Caritas spokesperson in Abidjan, said: “Father Richard Kissi was released today. He is doing well and has already reached the parish of Notre-Dame de Treichville where he is based. We do not have any further information on the circumstances and the motives for his kidnapping yet.”

A country at breaking point

The situation in Côte d’Ivoire has deteriorated into civil war following the disputed presidential election last year. Thousands of people are fleeing the growing instability caused by the continued stand-off between incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to leave office, and the winner of the presidential election held in November 2010, Alassane Outtara.

The international community has recognised Mr Outtara’s victory, although Mr Gbagbo’s supporters claim that the vote was rigged.

As Cote d'Ivoire descends into civil war, thousands of Ivorians are fleeing the violence in the commercial capital Abidjan. [ REUTERS/Luc Gnago courtesy of alertnet.org]

CAFOD’s Antonio Cabral said: “This situation is at breaking point. The reports we are getting from the ground of increased fighting and thousands of terrified families fleeing to Liberia must be sufficient spur to the international community to act.

“A peaceful solution must be brokered, the UN peacekeeping mission must look at more effective ways to protect the civilian populations and international donors must address the growing humanitarian crisis inside Côte d’Ivoire and over the border in Liberia, where more than 100,000 refugees have amassed.

“The eyes of the world are on Libya and the Arab uprisings, but there is a civil war going on in West Africa. The people of Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia need help now, they cannot wait for the political and news agenda to catch up.”

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