An Australian woman who was kidnapped with her husband in Burkina Faso and freed after three weeks in captivity says she plans to continue her medical work in the country. Jocelyn Elliott and Dr. Ken Elliott have spent more than 40 years operating a 120-bed clinic in the town of Djibo near Burkina Faso’s border with Mali. The couple was seized on January 15th by a group affiliated to al Qaeda. Jocelyn Elliott was freed on Saturday. Authorities said they were intensifying efforts to secure the release of her husband.
“I am very happy to be back here in the midst of my Burkinabe family. I would like to thank the people of Burkina Faso for their support during my absence. I want to be reunited with my husband soon, so that we can head back to Djibo to continue our work there.” Jocelyn Elliott, freed Australian captive
“I want to say that it’s truly a moment of pride for everyone — for Australia, Burkina Faso and Niger — that she was able to walk free. I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank Niger for all the work they have done in the field to secure her release. Equally, I would also like to say that the work must continue, because Dr. Elliott is not yet free. But we hope that this is something that will happen in the coming days.” Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Burkinabe President
