Secretary-General welcomes release of top envoy and three others in West Africa

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the release of his Special Envoy for Niger, Robert Fowler, and three others who had been abducted in recent months in West Africa.

Mr. Fowler and his aide Louis Guay, both from Canada, had gone missing while driving near the West African country’s capital Niamey in mid-December 2008.

Mr. Ban expressed gratitude to the authorities in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger for their efforts to secure the safe release of the abductees, according to a statement released by his spokesperson.

“He particularly appreciates the role that Canada has played in ensuring that Mr. Fowler and Mr. Guay would be released unharmed, and is grateful that those efforts have resulted in success,” the spokesperson said.

The Secretary-General reiterated his belief that UN staff members carry out valuable work around the world, “which they should be able to do without fear of harassment or intimidation,” according to the statement.