Ethiopian rebels kidnap Micheal Moore's wife

[Courage the Cowardly Dog]

One of those kidnapped was Italian-born Rossanna Moore, wife of Michael Moore, director of the British Council in Ethiopia, according to a diplomat who also spoke on condition of anonymity. Michael Moore refused to comment when reached Friday by The Associated Press.


A British Foreign Office spokesman said officials were aware that a number of Western nationals were reported missing. He said British Embassy staff were urgently checking with their Ethiopian counterparts.

Bandits and a small Afar rebel group operate in the area the tourists visited, which is known for its difficult terrain and has an average annual temperature of 94 degrees, but it often gets much hotter. The government requires all convoys to have a minimum of two cars and always travel with armed guards.
The tourists traveled with two armed police and an Afar guide, the tour operator said.
The ARDUF has been fighting for years against Ethiopia and Eritrea over lands inhabited by ethnic Afar.