The Mali branch of the International Committee of the Red Cross announced on Twitter that two of its employees had been abducted on Saturday.
The agency added that it was “a neutral, objective, and unbiased entity” and that it “confirms the kidnapping of 02 of our colleagues this morning between Gao and Kidal”.
“We ask that you refrain from speculating on this occurrence in order to avoid impeding its resolution,” it continued.
Mali has been experiencing a significant security problem since 2012. Kidnappings of foreigners and Malians are a widespread occurrence, with motives varying from demands for ransom to acts of retaliation.