French journalist Olivier Dubois, hostage in Mali for 7 months

Published on : 11/09/2021 – 12:41

November 8 marked the seventh month of captivity of French journalist Olivier Dubois held hostage in Mali by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), subsidiary in the Sahel of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) .

The journalist himself announced his kidnapping in a video posted on social networks on May 5, explaining that he was kidnapped on April 8 in Gao, in northern Mali. It is, even today, the only proof of life made public since his disappearance.

“He was going to Gao to interview a jihadist leader. We now know that he was trapped by thugs who then handed him over to JNIM,” said Wassim Nasr, specialist in jihadism issues at France 24.

The particular course of his kidnapping for a time raised hopes of unrequited release, according to Wassim Nasr, but seven months later, Olivier Dubois is still in the hands of JNIM.

His case is followed at the Quai d’Orsay and by the intelligence services. However, the journalist’s family is still waiting to be received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

His parents, his partner and his sister sent him messages, Monday, November 8, on the antenna of RFI. “The days go by, but my hope of seeing you soon does not take with them. I know your courage. I know that you will hang on. Do not let yourself be overcome by doubt,” said his father, André, in particular. -Georges Dubois.