GENEVA, Switzerland, April 16 (UPI) -- The Swiss government confirmed one of its nationals was abducted in northern Mali, were insurgents are threatening to divide the country.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed a 40-year-old woman was abducted in northern Mali, adding it was working with local authorities to secure her release, the BBC reports.
Dioncounda Traore was sworn in Thursday as Mali's interim president, more than three weeks after a military coup ended more than 20 years of democratic rule in the West African country.
Traore last week threatened "total and relentless war" to maintain territorial integrity after rebels in the north of the country declared autonomy for a region they call Azawad.
Al-Qaida sympathizers are said to be operating in the north of the country alongside area rebels. Al-Qaida in the Islamic Mahreb, the North African branch of al-Qaida, holds 13 Western hostages.
The Swiss government warned of the threat of kidnapping in the area more than two years ago.
