An Austrian woman has become the first European citizen kidnapped in Niger since the military seized power in 2023. The incident occurred in Agadez, a city located 900km from the capital Niamey.
Austrian authorities confirmed Sunday that their embassy in Algeria, which oversees Niger, has been notified about the kidnapping and is coordinating with local officials. According to a Nigerien security source speaking to Reuters, unidentified assailants driving a four-wheel vehicle abducted the woman from the Fada district of Agadez, near the Sahara Desert.
Local media outlet Air-Info Agadez identified the victim as Eva Gretzmacher, a 73-year-old who has resided in Agadez for 28 years. Reports indicate armed kidnappers arrived at her home Saturday evening, forcing her security guard to open the door at gunpoint before taking her away in a vehicle.
Gretzmacher is known locally for her humanitarian work. In 2010, she established a skills center focused on education and women’s empowerment. Her work extended to supporting educational programs and assisting local NGOs in various fields, including ecology and art.
While Austria’s Foreign Ministry seeks assistance from Niger’s government and regional authorities, Niger’s Ministry of Interior has not yet commented on the incident. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.
The kidnapping occurs amid escalating security challenges in Niger, which has long fought against al-Qaeda and ISIL-linked armed groups. Security concerns have intensified following the military’s overthrow of the democratically elected government in July 2023.
After taking power, the military government expelled French and U.S. forces, turning instead to Russian mercenaries to maintain stability. However, questions have emerged about the military’s ability to improve security as attacks by armed groups continue to rise.
The situation reflects broader regional challenges, as Niger joins other West African nations struggling with armed rebellions that have spread from Mali and Burkina Faso over the past 12 years. These conflicts have resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of displaced people.
Prior to the 2023 coup, Niger was considered one of the Sahel region’s last democratic nations with which Western countries could collaborate to combat the insurgency.
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