All eight Red Cross staff workers kidnapped in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week have been released unharmed, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.
The eight, a Swiss citizen and seven Congolese, had been held by Mai Mai armed militia since being seized during a mission last Friday to assess the needs of displaced civilians in Congo's eastern South Kivu province.
"It was an unconditional release as we have wanted all along and we are all very relieved that they are out without any harm to them," Inah Kaloga, communications coordinator at ICRC in the central African country, said.
UN peacekeepers supported the handover of the staff today; a day after a previous pick up was aborted due to fighting in the area.
"We would like to express our deep gratitude to all those who have lent us their support over the last few days," said Franz Rauchenstein, head of the ICRC delegation in Congo.
The incident highlights the insecurity in Congo, a day before the UN Security Council was due to visit the country to try to convince the government not to press for an overly swift withdrawal of peacekeepers.
Congo is keen for the peacekeeping mission, known as MONUC, to start withdrawing the first of its 22,000 men within months and wants the last blue helmet out in 2011.
But experts warn against a hasty pullout out of the UN force, which is struggling to back up Congo's army in its efforts to regain control of the vast country, much of which is still plagued by rebel groups and militia fighters.
Reuters