Two European nationals who endured more than a year in captivity in Niger have regained their freedom and been transferred to Benghazi, eastern Libya, ahead of their return home.
The women, identified as 76-year-old Austrian Eva Gretzmacher and 69-year-old Swiss citizen Claudia Abbt, were abducted in separate incidents in Agadez, northern Niger, in January and April 2025.
Authorities have not revealed the identities of their captors, the motives behind the abductions or the circumstances surrounding their release. However, earlier reports suggested possible links to Islamic State extremists.
The governments of Austria and Switzerland have confirmed that both women are safe.
Vienna attributed Gretzmacher’s freedom to sustained diplomatic negotiations, while Bern announced that Abbt was preparing to return home after receiving medical attention in Benghazi.
Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed relief, noting that officials had collaborated discreetly with European, regional and international partners for several months to secure Gretzmacher’s release.
Similarly, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis welcomed Abbt’s freedom and acknowledged the contributions of individuals involved in the operation.
Switzerland also disclosed that it established a special task force involving diplomatic officials, law enforcement agencies and other relevant institutions following her disappearance.
Swiss representatives reportedly met Abbt upon her arrival in Benghazi, where medical personnel assessed her condition. Officials indicated that she was doing reasonably well despite the ordeal.
Libyan broadcaster Al-Masar aired footage showing the two women entering what appeared to be an ambulance before receiving assistance from a healthcare worker.
In a video recorded in French, they expressed gratitude to eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar and his son, Saddam Haftar, for their role in securing their freedom.
Reports from the privately owned Air Info Agadez indicated that a flight was expected to depart Benghazi on Thursday, stopping in Vienna to hand Gretzmacher over to Austrian officials before continuing to Switzerland with Abbt.
Gretzmacher had worked in humanitarian assistance and spent several years residing in Niger, while Abbt had lived and served as a community worker in Agadez.
The incident highlights persistent security challenges across the Sahel, where extremist organisations affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State have carried out kidnappings, armed assaults and other deadly attacks.
Niger has been under military rule since July 2023, when General Abdourahmane Tchiani overthrew the democratically elected administration of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Libya continues to grapple with instability following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ended the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.
The country remains divided between an eastern administration supported by Haftar and a rival government based in Tripoli under Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.
Analysts have also linked some of the Sahel’s security problems to the aftermath of Gaddafi’s downfall.
During his rule, numerous Tuareg fighters from Niger and Mali joined armed formations in Libya.
Many subsequently returned to their home countries after his death, contributing to the circulation of weapons and armed personnel across the region.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong