A group of released Djiboutian detainees have expressed their “deep thanks and sincere gratitude” to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for Qatar’s efforts to secure their release after spending eight years in captivity.
Speaking during a press conference at Hamad International Airport before leaving for their country, the captives said Qatar, under the leadership of HH the Emir, had always been a supporter of humanitarian issues and actively took part in mediation efforts, which finally resulted in their release and  return to their country and families after losing hope over the past years in getting out of captivity.
The detainees likened the moment of their release to coming back to life, noting that this had happened thanks to the Qatari mediation and its efforts to give them their freedom back and help them return safely to their families and country.
One of the released detainees expressed his delight “not only for being released but also because I felt that we have brothers in Qatar who stood by us and were the reason in our return to our homes after all these long years”.
He said: “I’d like to thank all the Qatari people and mainly HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani,” whose efforts were the reason “we embraced freedom again and are now returning to our families and country”.
One of the former detainees, Mahmoud Hudeid, said the moment they learned about their release it was as if they were born again. “I didn’t realise what was going on until I heard that Qatar was behind our release.”
He thanked Qatar’s Emir, government and people for such “a noble stance and this initiative that led to our release from captivity and return to our life, country and families”, adding that words couldn’t describe the role played by Qatar in setting them free.
For his part, another former detainee, Othman Mohamed, voiced his thanks and gratitude to Qatar and the Qatari people under the leadership of HH the Emir for the initiative that resulted in their release. “Qatar’s efforts to release us will be a bright sign and a source of appreciation and respect from the people of Djibouti, and we will never forget the backing of our Qatari brothers and giving us our freedom back.”
Hudeid prayed that safety, security and peace would always prevail in Qatar, saying that it “deserves all our thanks and gratitude and we will always have affection towards the Qatari people who are brothers to us.”
Yet another former detainee, Ali Abdullah, expressed his gratitude to everyone that contributed to their release. “All appreciation and love to our brothers in Qatar. We wouldn’t be able to embrace freedom again if it was not for the sincere efforts of the State of Qatar to secure our release.”
“We will always remember Qatar’s standing by our side and its work to end our captivity,” Abdullah added.
The released captives expressed thanks for being hosted in Qatar before their return to their country and for the hospitality they received in Doha, voicing the gratitude of all the Djiboutian people to the State of Qatar.

Praise for Doha’s role
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held a conversation via telephone with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh.  During the call, the president expressed his gratitude to HH the Emir for Qatar’s role in releasing Djiboutian captives in Eritrea. The president praised Qatar’s mediation efforts and wished its people further progress and stability.  The Emir said the mediation efforts reflected Qatar’s commitment to resolving regional and international conflicts peacefully.
Meanwhile, GCC secretary general Dr Abdullatif al-Zayani has praised HH the Emir’s efforts to release  the captives from Djibouti. Al-Zayani, in a statement, said the success of Qatari mediation efforts reflected the respect the country had earned.