He used last Friday’s ceremony to express President Paul Biya’s appreciation for their courage and endurance while in captivity.
Some 14 of the 16 Cameroonian and Polish hostages freed by the Cameroonian military on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, from captivity in the hands of Central African Republic, CAR, rebels, were received in Yaounde on Friday, November 28, 2014, by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang, on behalf of President Paul Biya.
One, who was sick, was in hospital, while Polish priest, Rev. Father Mateusz Dziedzic, left the country on November 28, 2014. Speaking at the occasion at the Prime Minister’s office, Philemon Yang expressed the Head of State’s joy at the fact that they were free at last. The PM expressed gratitude to the military for its efficiency in carrying out the operation and President of Congo Brazzaville, Denis Sassou Nguesso, mediator in the CAR crisis, for his role. The PM restated government’s determination to continue to ensure security for all.
On his part, Dr Boombhi Jerome, one of the three medical staff from the Yaounde General Hospital, Ngoussou, who accompanied the former hostages, said they were suffering from problems of dehydration and trauma. He however assured that most of them were in stable health conditions and all would remain in hospital for some time for observation. He said the hospital authorities had put in place all what it takes to ensure their proper care.
Responding on behalf of the ex-hostages, Chief Koulagna Ngamba Joseph, commended President Paul Biya for securing their release. He said during their 60-day captivity in the Central African Republic, they lost hope of ever regaining liberty. He recounted how they were held in very terrible conditions in a tent with legs chained and hands handcuffed. They hardly had anything to eat, with young hostages obliged to fetch firewood and water four times a day from a distance of four kilometres. Among the freed hostages are 10 men, two girls and four boys; about half of them Bororo herdsmen.
