PUNTLAND, Somalia – The two female staff workers for the Medicins sans Frontieres (MSF) were released by their abductors on Wednesday. Spanish doctor Mercedes Garcia and Argentine nurse Pilar Bauza were kidnapped last Wednesday in Bosasso while driving to a hospital.

Although the kidnappers demanded a ransom, officials claim none was paid for the women’s freedom.  According to Spain’s Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, there were a lot of negotiations and persuasion. Witnesses report that the women appeared tired but in good spirits.

The women are currently in a hotel in Bosasso and hope to return to Mogadishu to continue their mission.

Their abduction occurred one day after kidnapped French journalist, Gwen Le Gouil, was released by Somali gunmen. For precaution, MSF Spain withdrew its foreign staff from southern and central Somalia on Tuesday.

For more information please see:

BBC- Two MSF Workers Freed in Somalia – 2 January 2008

Reuters: Africa – Somali Kidnappers Free Foreign Aid Staff – 2 January 2008