Eight Christian aid workers kidnapped in South Sudan have been freed unharmed.
The eight members of the US-based Samaritan’s Purse charity were reportedly snatched by armed gunmen on March 13 in the central Mayendit area. Despite subsequent claims by the county’s military that the aid workers were being held for ransom, no such demand was made. Approximately 24 hours later, the abductees were freed.
Members of Samaritan’s Purse are engaged in a range of development projects in and around Mayendit, including agricultural, medical and emergency feeding initiatives.
The work of the group is now under threat following a government announcement that South Sudan is to levy over €9,000 per foreign aid worker present in the country.