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| Cameroon rescues 16 hostages including a Polish priest | Cameroon rescues 16 hostages including a Polish priest |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Cameroon's military has freed 16 hostages, including a Polish priest, captured by rebels from the Central African Republic (CAR), the president says. | Cameroon's military has freed 16 hostages, including a Polish priest, captured by rebels from the Central African Republic (CAR), the president says. |
| Fifteen of the hostages were Cameroonians abducted on 20 September and 24 October in eastern Cameroon. | Fifteen of the hostages were Cameroonians abducted on 20 September and 24 October in eastern Cameroon. |
| The sixteenth was Polish priest Mateusz Dziedzic, who was kidnapped on 12 October in Baboua, CAR. | The sixteenth was Polish priest Mateusz Dziedzic, who was kidnapped on 12 October in Baboua, CAR. |
| Cameroon's government did not name the group responsible. | Cameroon's government did not name the group responsible. |
| However, Mr Dziedzic is said to have been captured by Democratic Front of the Central African Republic (FDPC), which had been demanding the release of their leader, Abdoulaye Miskine. | However, Mr Dziedzic is said to have been captured by Democratic Front of the Central African Republic (FDPC), which had been demanding the release of their leader, Abdoulaye Miskine. |
| The group had hoped to exchange Mr Dzjedzic for Mr Miskine, according to Poland's Pontifical Mission Societies. | The group had hoped to exchange Mr Dzjedzic for Mr Miskine, according to Poland's Pontifical Mission Societies. |
| A spokesperson for Poland's foreign ministry said that Mr Dziedzic's "condition isn't perfect but he's feeling fine and there is no threat to his life". | A spokesperson for Poland's foreign ministry said that Mr Dziedzic's "condition isn't perfect but he's feeling fine and there is no threat to his life". |
| Marcin Wojciechowski added that the priest was freed following negotiations with other countries and international organisations. | Marcin Wojciechowski added that the priest was freed following negotiations with other countries and international organisations. |
| In Wednesday's statement, Cameroon's President Paul Biya thanked those involved in the rescue, including Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of Congo-Brazzaville and mediator in the CAR crisis. | |
| Mr Biya added that he would "continue to... work tirelessly to preserve peace, stability and security in Cameroon". | Mr Biya added that he would "continue to... work tirelessly to preserve peace, stability and security in Cameroon". |
| Rebel takeover | Rebel takeover |
| The FDPC is one of several armed groups that have fought against the Central African government for years. | The FDPC is one of several armed groups that have fought against the Central African government for years. |
| In September last year, its leader was arrested in Cameroon and taken to the capital, Yaounde. | In September last year, its leader was arrested in Cameroon and taken to the capital, Yaounde. |
| Cameroonian police suspected Mr Miskine was planning to use Cameroon as a base to attack the CAR. | Cameroonian police suspected Mr Miskine was planning to use Cameroon as a base to attack the CAR. |
| Mr Miskine previously belonged to the Seleka rebel coalition, which overthrew former CAR President Francois Bozize and seized the capital Bangui in March 2013. | Mr Miskine previously belonged to the Seleka rebel coalition, which overthrew former CAR President Francois Bozize and seized the capital Bangui in March 2013. |
| Members of the FPDC have long demanded his release from Cameroon. | Members of the FPDC have long demanded his release from Cameroon. |
| In October, Cameroon freed 27 hostages who had been taken prisoner by Nigerian Islamic militant group Boko Haram. | In October, Cameroon freed 27 hostages who had been taken prisoner by Nigerian Islamic militant group Boko Haram. |
| Amongst the prisoners was Amadou Ali, wife of Cameroon's vice-prime minister. | Amongst the prisoners was Amadou Ali, wife of Cameroon's vice-prime minister. |