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Sahel: The AQIM’s Blackmail, as it was with the Brits

By on July 14, 2010
The terrorist organisation, AQIM, issued an ultimatum about Michel Germaneau, former French engineer, who was captured in northern Niger in the Tamesna region, near the border with Mali and Algeria: “The mujahideen have decided to grant an extension to France, it shall not exceed fifteen days”, AQIM said.

Adding that the hostage life is “now under the responsibility of President Sarkozy”. Paris has two weeks to negotiate, and come to the agreement of exchanging prisoners held by several African allies to France.
The latest evidence of life of the French hotage is dating back to Friday, May 14, when the kidnappers had released a recorded audiotape where Michel Germaneau is complaining of medication lack and excess of heat. The message was accompanied by a photo of his identity card. The man called on President Nicolas Sarkozy to intervene for his release.
The case does not yet arouse strong reactions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “You will easily understand that discretion is a prerequisite for the effectiveness of our action”, said Bernard Valero, the spokesman at the Quai d’Orsay, and he added that “France is mobilised in Paris as well as on the field”.
However, it is not known if the French government agreed to negotiate with the terrorists. In June 2009, Edwin Dyer, a British tourist, was executed by AQIM after the government of Gordon Brown rejected to give in to the armed group blackmail.

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