BOSASSO, Somalia – According to Awale Jama Salad, a local journalist and clan member of the kidnappers, Gwen Le Gouil is urging international media watchdogs to press for his release. Le Gouil was kidnapped by armed men on Sunday, December 15 and is currently being held for $80,000 ransom in the mountainous village of Mareero, east of Putland’s Bosasso port.

According to Salad, Le Gouil is “fine.” Puntland’s Trade and Industries Minister Abdisamad Yusuf Abwan said French embassy delegations were in the country to negotiate Le Gouil’s release.

Based on a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, a U.S. media watchdog, at least 64 journalists have been killed in 2007. This is the highest death rate since 66 deaths in 1994’s. After Iraq, Somalia ranked as the second deadliest country with seven journalist killed this year.

Fortunately, Somali kidnappers are known to treat their captives as assets and therefore are not likely to seriously harm Le Gouil.

For more information please see:

Reuters: Africa – French Journalist Held in Somalia Asks for Help – 20 December 2007

Reuters: Africa – 2007 Deadliest Year for Journalist since 1994 – 19 December 2007