Six hostages released

Al-Qaeda's North African wing released four of six Western hostages on 22 April 2009 in northern Mali. The al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) released two Canadian diplomats -- kidnapped near Niamey, Niger, in December 2008 -- as well as two female tourists seized in the Mali-Niger border area in March 2009. The terrorist group continues to hold two Swiss and British nationals. The Canadian diplomats are expected to be transported from northern Mali to the Burkinabe capital of Ouagadougou. Sources indicated that the successful release was secured through negotiation efforts by Malian contacts.