Al-Qaeda in Mali releases South African hostage

A Mali-based al-Qaeda group recently released a South African hostage after six years in captivity, the South African government confirmed on Thursday. The militant group in 2011 abducted Stephen McGowan along with Swiss national Johan Gustafson, who was freed in June. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa’s international relations minister, said McGowan was released without ransom on July 29 and is undergoing a medical evaluation. The al-Qaeda-linked coalition, Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen, in July released a proof-of-life video showing McGowan and five other foreign hostages.