Romanian hostage in Burkina Faso released after eight years

By Edoardo Giribaldi

Iulian Gherguţ, a Romanian security officer kidnapped in Burkina Faso in 2015, has been freed and safely returned to his home country, Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

An "extremely complicated case"

The statement highlighted how the release represented "the result of the work done by all institutions within the Interinstitutional Crisis Cell, which took permanent steps for the release of the Romanian citizen, at all levels and political-diplomatic channels."

The Ministry thanked "all foreign partners, particularly Moroccan authorities, for the important support given to solve this extremely complicated case."

Kidnappings and violence

Mr. Gherguţ was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen while working in the security department of a manganese mining project in the northern part of Burkina Faso, near the border with Mali. 

Agenzia Fides indicated the kidnapping as "the first terrorist act on Burkinabé soil," marking "the beginning of a long cycle of violence that will lead to the country's collapse."

"He is coming home"

Mr. Gherguţ's mother, who found out about the news from TV, enthusiastically commented on her son's liberation. "I feel like walking to Bucharest just to see him," she told the Romanian channel Digi 24. "We were startled and then cried. We didn't have any news from him."

"After eight years we didn't have any hopes that we might see him again," Emilian, Mr. Ghergut's brother, commented. "We are happy he is coming home, and this is all that matters."

In April 2023, Mr. Ghergut's family was made aware of a video of their relative dating back to December 2021.

At the time, his sister Elvira commented to the French periodical La Croix L'Hebdo how those images represented a "miracle," even though she "almost even didn't recognize him," as he appeared "weak and sad."

Political and economic commitment

Her words were echoed by Fr. Pier Luigi Maccalli, a priest from the Society for African Missions, who, speaking with Agenzia Fides, underlined how "very strong political and economic commitment" were necessary, together with prayers in the hope that "Iulian will be released soon."

At the time, Agenzia Fides pointed out how Mr. Gherguţ was "the longest-held Western hostage in the hands of terrorists in the Sahel."
 

"Great news"

"Great news of liberation: Alleluia!" Fr. Maccalli, who was held hostage by jihadists in the Sahel for nearly two years and continued to pray for Mr. Gherguţ, commented following the release announcement.

Photographs and prayers

Speaking to Vatican News on August 8, 2021, Fr. Maccalli remembered the many challenges he had to face while being held hostage, noting, among them, loneliness.

During the interview, Fr. Maccalli also stressed the value of prayers, "crucial to make hostages feel they have not been forgotten," and the importance for them to receive "a signal, a photograph. A sign that says, 'The family, the world will not forget you.' This is a great help for those who experience loneliness."