African News Explained

Negotiators attempting to secure the release of the South African hostage Pierre Korkie, who is being held in Yemen by Al Qaeda, say they have no proof that he is either alive or dead. Korkie was due to be executed by his captors on Saturday, unless they received a three million dollar ransom. Imtiaz Sooliman, the chairperson of the Charity Organization "Gift of the Givers", who negotiated the release of Korkie's wife Yolande a few weeks ago says all communication with the kidnappers has been lost.