Priest Mateusz Dziedzic, abducted October 12 by an armed group in Baboua, in the West of the Central African Republic, and released Wednesday after 44 days returned to Poland on Sunday.

"I thank God and all those who made it possible for my release," said the priest on his arrival at the Okecie airport in Warsaw. The priest was released with 15 other Cameroonian hostages, during a "special operation" conducted on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday by Cameroon defence and security forces.

The Polish Government has raised "complex negotiations involving several countries in the region and international organizations", and noted in particular "the role of France", the former colonial power which has a military force in Central Africa.

Fr. Dziedzic was abducted in mid-October by armed men who reported that they did not want ransom but seek to exchange him for one of their leaders detained in neighbouring Cameroon. Central African rebel leader Abdoulaye Miskine was released from his Cameroon prison after the release of the Polish priest.

Mr. Miskine is a former ally of the rebellion of the Seleka, Muslim rebel coalition which has been in power in Bangui from March to December 2013. He was arrested last year on the border between Cameroon and the Central African Republic and held in Cameroon.