• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Africa

Former Al-Qaeda prisoner urges family of kidnapped man to keep hope

30 September 2018, 5:56 PM  |
Sagree Chetty Sagree Chetty |  @SABCNews
The man kidnapped in Burkina Faso was working for a mine.

There are numerous reports of jihadists operating in both Mali and Burkina Faso.

The man kidnapped in Burkina Faso was working for a mine.

Image: Pixabay

There are numerous reports of jihadists operating in both Mali and Burkina Faso.

A former Al-Qaeda prisoner has urged the family of a South African man, who was kidnapped in Burkina Faso in West Africa, not to lose hope.

Speaking exclusively to the SABC, South African Stephen McGowan, says he knows exactly what the man’s family is going through. McGowan was kidnapped in neighbouring Mali in 2011.

Holding people ransom in some African countries is not uncommon. The man kidnapped in Burkina Faso was working for a mine. He was captured along with two other people.

There are numerous reports of jihadists operating in both Mali and Burkina Faso. McGowan spent nearly six years as a prisoner. He was abducted by militants while touring Mali and held captive in the Sahara desert. Following tough negotiations, he was finally released in July last year.

Humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, helped negotiate McGowan’s release from the militants. He has urged the family of the kidnapped man to remain positive.

“It’s incredible what being positive can actually do in having hope. Hopefully this will go quickly for them and hopefully their communication channels with the Al Qaeda in Mali are already set up so that the conversation can go through. They must just be patient.”

McGowan is willing to counsel the family through this difficult time.

“I did what I could do to stay alive and I’m certain this gentleman will do the same: what he can do to stay alive. I spent a lot of time in the desert trying to make SA look Muslim friendly to try and show that SA people are genuine and trustworthy people.”

McGowan’s family knows the trauma of being in this situation. His father, Malcolm, says it was because of Gift of the Givers, that his son is back home. He’s urged the family of the kidnapped man to seek their assistance.

“They will try. They have their contacts now I think so obviously it’s almost a short cut to get to those people up there. And I’m sure if the family approaches Gift of the Givers they will try their best to assist.”

The International Relations department has advised South Africans travelling to Burkina Faso to be cautious. The department is currently engaging with officials in that country to assist the kidnapped man.

Share article
Tags: Gift of the GiversBurkina FasoMalial QaedaStephan McGowan
Previous Post

“People with albinism have a huge drop-out rate”

Next Post

Three men killed in suspected vigilante attack

Related Posts

A doctor's office

Health Ministers’ Conference to look at ways to tackle pandemics

7 February 2023, 10:56 AM
UN Oryx helicopter came under fire and a crew member was killed

UN peacekeeping mission condemns fatal shooting of SA soldier in Goma

6 February 2023, 9:04 PM
A smartphone with Facebook's logo is seen in front of displayed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta in this illustration taken October 28, 2021.

Meta can be sued in Kenya by ex-content moderator, the country’s court rules

6 February 2023, 1:19 PM
A U.N. vehicle patrols the streets before the polls open for the presidential election in Bamako, Mali July, 29 2018.

Mali expels UN mission’s human rights chief

6 February 2023, 7:44 AM
[File image]

One peacekeeper killed in Congo after UN chopper comes under fire

5 February 2023, 8:26 PM
Pope Francis shakes hands with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit, during a farewell ceremony before his departure in Juba, South Sudan, February 5, 2023.    Vatican Media

Pope Francis says laws criminalising LGBT people are a ‘sin’ and an injustice

5 February 2023, 8:13 PM
Next Post
Police spokesperson, Andre Traut, says their bodies were found early on Sunday morning.

Three men killed in suspected vigilante attack

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • Three suspects killed, two wounded in a shooting on R21 Highway in Ekurhuleni
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • Malesela Teffo remains struck off as an advocate: LPC
  • JB Marks residents warned of driver license scam
  • Four new ANC members have been sworn in as MPs
  • In Turkey, night fills with screams and crying as earthquake rescues go on
  • David Mabuza still Deputy President of SA: Mashatile

LATEST

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe looks at the CSIR people-centred digital solutions for zero harm mining.
  • Sci-tech

New tech to enhance mine workers’ safety  


Hockey sticks during a match
  • Sport

Proteas women’s hockey team draw World Cup match against the US


Mine workers underground
  • Business

Mining Indaba no benefit to workers: AMCU


Rescuers search for survivors under the rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey February 6, 2023.
  • Turkey - Syria Earthquake
  • World

WHO chief worried about silent areas of Turkey, Syria after quake


A truck seen collecting waste in an area.
  • South Africa

No waste collection for Vaal residents


An excavator removes layers of earth at a mine
  • Business

‘Rolling blackouts impeding mining sector to reach full potential’


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Dr Maxwell Thabethe “People with albinism have a huge drop-out rate”
Next Police spokesperson, Andre Traut, says their bodies were found early on Sunday morning. Three men killed in suspected vigilante attack