Cameroon rescues 16 hostages including a Polish priest

Cameroon's military has freed 16 hostages, including a Polish priest, captured by rebels from the Central African Republic.

Fifteen of the hostages were Cameroonians abducted in September and October in Eastern Cameroon and the sixteenth was a Polish priest, Mateusz Dziedzic, who was kidnapped last month in Central African Republic.

Cameroon's government did not name the group responsible.

However, Mr Dziedzic is said to have been captured by the Democratic Front of the Central African Republic, which had been demanding the release of their leader, Abdoulaye Miskine.

The group had hoped to exchange Mr Dzjedzic for Mr Miskine.

Cameroon's President, Paul Biya thanked those involved in the rescue, including President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville and mediator in the Central African Republic crisis.

BBC