3 billion CFA francs demanded as ransom for Cameroonian hostages in CAR

The kidnappers of Cameroonian hostages demand a ransom of 3 billion CFA francs and pose to the Government political conditions for the release of the hostages, learned KOACI from a safe security source.

Among the hostages kidnapped is Mayor Mamaï Abakar who was kidnapped on the night of March 19, 2015, in the company of 15 other people in the East of the country.

The kidnappers of the Cameroonian hostages have demanded a ransom of 3 billion CFA francs and the release of Aboubakar Sidiki, president of the Mouvement Patriotique du Salut Camerounais (MPSC), an opposition party, arrested August 9, 2014, in his offices in Douala by men in civilian clothes.

"The hostage takers called the services of the Governor in the North to demand the sum of 3 billion CFA francs, and the release of Aboubakar but there has been no follow-up by the authorities. We simply remain vigilant but we reassure populations that we all work for the liberation of our compatriots," indicated a security authority who insisted on anonymity.

In the eastern region which often suffers from the incursions of Central African armed gangs, security is enhanced in bus transport. Security forces fear kidnappings of Westerners traveling along the Garoua-Boulaï – Bertoua.

Meanwhile, Cameroonian security forces attempt to link and to understand why the hostage-takers demand the release of Aboubakar Sidiki. A leader of a political party that is represented in the National Assembly or the Senate, we later learned in a telephone interview.