French aid-worker abducted in Central African Republic

A 67-year old woman, who was working for a Catholic medical charity, has been kidnapped alongside a local man who works for the charity in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), Bangui.

According to reports, their vehicle was stopped by armed men, and they were then driven off, leaving the driver of the vehicle behind.

The driver said that the kidnappers were from a Christian militia. The group is reportedly furious over the recent arrest of one of their leaders.

Over the weekend UN peacekeepers had arrested a senior leader of the so-called anti-balaka militia, Rodrigue Nagibona, known as General Andjilo.

He was wanted on charges linked with rebellion and looting, as well as for alleged murder and rape in connection with attacks on minority Muslims in December 2013.

The CAR national secretary of Catholic charity Caritas, Abby Elysee Guendjiande, told Reuters news agency: "When we called... [the French woman's] telephone later the kidnappers picked up and said: 'Release our General Andjilo and we will liberate the hostages.'"

The French government has condemned the kidnapping and called for the unidentified woman to be freed immediately.

Mainly Muslim Seleka fighters took control of CAR in March 2013, ousting President Francois Bozize, but their leader was forced to resign as president a year ago after failing to curb the violence in which thousands died and about one million people were displaced, with both sides being accused of committing atrocities.