A South African, Deborah Calitz, and her Italian friend, Bruno Pelizzari, who were held hostage for 20 months after being kidnapped by Somali pirates, have been freed. This was announced by Somalia’s defence minister last Thursday. The couple were among the longest-held in captivity for ransom by Somali pirates. Happy but exhausted, the couple smiled for reporters at a news conference held at the presidential palace in Mogadishu.

“We are very happy to get our freedom again,” Calitz said, speaking haltingly. “We are so happy today and to join our families again.”

The two were kidnapped in October 2010 from a yacht off the southeastern coast of Africa. Their pirate captors originally demanded a ransom of $10 million.

When Somali pirates first began attacking ships off East Africa in about 2005, they attacked large container ships. But as those vessels improved their on-board defenses, pirates began attacking more vulnerable private yachts. An international flotilla of warships patrols waters off Somalia, leading to a decrease in pirate attacks over the last year.

Somali Defense Minister Hussein Arab Isse credited Somali security forces with helping with the couple’s release, but he did not say that the pair had been rescued. He also declined to say if a ransom was paid. Most pirate hostage cases end with payment of multi-million dollar ransoms.

South Africa’s government said it is gratified at the couple’s release and expressed its gratitude to Somalia’s government for helping with the release. South Africa also thanked the government of Italy for its role.

“Arrangements are being made for the return of the couple to South Africa,” the South African statement said.