An Austrian woman was abducted by unknown persons in Niger

Niger has not yet commented on the incident.

Air Info reports that the kidnappers came to Mrs. Gretzmacher’s house with a gun and entered. They didn’t take anything else.

Ms. Gretzmacher is said to be implementing projects in the fields of education, health, women’s empowerment and culture.

The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that they are working with the EU delegation and local authorities.

Niger has been struggling with an Islamist insurgency for years.

The military junta is under pressure for failing to prevent armed attacks, one of the reasons for the July 2023 ouster of democratically elected President Mohammed Bazum.

Niger, along with its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, is fighting attacks by groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.

After the coup, Niger urged France and other Western powers to withdraw their military bases and called for a security alliance with junta-led neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso.