Fighters let French aid worker, cohort go

BANGUI, Central African Republic — A French aid worker kidnapped in Central African Republic and her co-worker have been released, those involved in the negotiations said Friday.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Claudia Priest, 67, had been released, and thanked Central African Republic authorities and especially the archbishop of the country’s capital for their help.

Priest, who was working for Catholic medical organization CODIS, was kidnapped along with a local co-worker when fighters seized their vehicle full of medicine and medical kits, their driver said.

Father Irenee Poutabale confirmed that Priest’s colleague also had been released.

Central African Republic was hit by unprecedented sectarian violence about a year ago when a Christian militia was formed to combat a Muslim rebel coalition that had taken control of the country.

Yet even amid violence that has left more than 5,000 people dead, attacks have rarely been directed at foreigners, except for those with the French military and African armies taking part in a United Nations peacekeeping mission.