Algerian government stands tall in regards to negotiating with terrorist groups

The Algerian government steadfastly refuses to negotiate with the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa. The group is a well-known terrorist organization. Algeria has withstood the group's ransom demands, and refuses to budge in spite of pleas from the families of the hostages.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The movement is under the authority of Al Qaeda. The groups was formed in the wake of the war launched against Libya.
 
Algerian diplomats remain the group's captives after being kidnapped from their Gao consulate in northern Mali in April 2012.

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"We call on the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to find a solution to our situation by accepting the terms of the group so that we can come back to our families," one captive stated in video footage released in January of this year.

This video corroborates that these people are still alive. Families and relatives are urging the government to put an end to their ordeal.

Captives were shown sitting on the ground surrounded by their armed captors from al-Qaeda splinter group Movement for Tawhid and Jihad in West Africa, or MUJAO. The group wishes to exchange the captives in exchange for their members who remain in the hands of the Algerian security services.

Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramtane Lamamra has acknowledged that Algerian diplomats held hostage in Mali "are still alive." The statement was made during a joint press conference with his Malian counterpart, Zahabi Ould Sidi Mohamed.

Lamamra also specified that "the release of these hostages is paramount and is, therefore, a priority for the Algerian Action. Consultations continue with brothers both inside and outside of Mali."

Algeria remains faithful to its principle of non-payment of ransom to free hostages. The nation refuses to give in to blackmail.

The Consul of Algeria in Gao, along with six of its employees had been abducted April 5, 2012 in northern Mali. Three of the seven diplomats were released in November that year.

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