Ahmad 
“South African” newspaper The South African reported that the South African hostage, Jerko van Deventer, 48, who was kidnapped by jihadists in Libya in November 2017 and then transferred to Mali, was released after being held for six years.
Al-Qaeda in Mali confirmed Van Deventer’s unconditional release in coordination with the humanitarian NGO Donor Gift.
“A Mauritanian citizen contacted the organization on December 5 to confirm his work on Van Deventer’s release, and I received a phone call on the evening of the 16th of this month to inform me of his release through Algeria,” said Imtiaz Slimane, founder of the Donor Gift.
Intensive negotiations for Van Deventer’s release took place in the early years after his kidnapping, but the COVID-19 pandemic slowed efforts until the beginning of this year, according to his wife.
Since 2012, Mali has witnessed the spread of jihadism and violence of all kinds, including kidnappings of foreigners or locals for ideological or financial motives.