Nairobi, Kenya — Seven years after being abducted in Somalia, German nurse Sonja Nientiet has appealed to her government for assistance in securing her release. Her plea comes as the precarious security situation in the country remains volatile, highlighted by a recent failed assassination attempt on the president by the al-Qaeda-affiliated group, al-Shabab.
In a video circulating on social media, Nientiet appears visibly distressed, revealing that her health has deteriorated over the years. She maintains that the hope of reuniting with her loved ones has been her sole source of strength. Nientiet was abducted on May 3, 2018, from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) compound in Mogadishu, Somalia. Somali authorities later concluded that her kidnapping was orchestrated by a former disgruntled employee.
Christian Cardon, an ICRC spokesperson, expressed that the video offers a glimmer of hope for Nientiet’s eventual release. He affirmed the organization’s commitment to leveraging all available influence to secure her freedom. Cardon emphasized that the ICRC is “deeply concerned” about Nientiet’s health, stating that their priority is her safe and swift return. However, to protect ongoing efforts, no further details about the abduction will be disclosed at this time.
The newly surfaced video marks only the second instance Nientiet has appeared publicly since her capture, the first being shortly after her abduction in 2018. In the footage, Nientiet, who speaks in English with a German accent, is seen wiping her tears as she discusses the urgency of her rescue, describing it as a matter of life and death.
The German Foreign Ministry has reiterated its policy of not commenting on hostage cases involving its citizens abroad. Meanwhile, Somalia’s political landscape remains unstable, with al-Shabab continuing to launch attacks, including a recent assault targeting a presidential convoy. In response, the Somali government has escalated its military efforts against the militant group, achieving territorial advances in the Middle Shabelle region and beyond.