MOGADISHU, Somalia – Sonja Nientiet, a German national employed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who was kidnapped in May 2018 in Somalia’s capital, has on Wednesday evening appeared in a newly released video pleading for assistance.
The footage, shared on a YouTube channel titled Liban Osman, shows Nientiet making an emotional appeal to the German Embassy in Somalia and the German government.
“My life is at stake; I’m counting on you,” she said, expressing her deep desire to return home. She urged authorities to intervene, stating, “If you do what you can, we can find a solution.”
Nientiet did not reveal the identity of her captors or specify any conditions for her release. However, the Somali government had previously confirmed that she was abducted from the ICRC compound in Mogadishu by members of the agency’s own security team.
The motive behind her abduction remains unclear, but kidnappings of foreign aid workers in Somalia have historically been linked to ransom demands or political leverage by militant groups and criminal networks.
Her current whereabouts remain unknown, and it is unclear whether negotiations for her release are ongoing. The German government has yet to publicly comment on the latest developments, but diplomatic sources indicate that efforts to secure her freedom have been complicated by the volatile security situation in Somalia.
The case is expected to drawn international attention, with calls for intensified efforts to secure Nientiet’s safe return. The ICRC, which operates in conflict zones worldwide, has faced security challenges in Somalia, where aid workers have been targeted in past abductions.
Somalia has struggled with instability for decades, with ongoing conflicts between government forces and militant groups such as Al-Shabab, creating an environment where kidnappings remain a serious risk.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as concerns grow over Nientiet’s safety and well-being. Advocacy groups have urged increased diplomatic engagement and humanitarian intervention to ensure her safe return after nearly six years in captivity.
