French journalist Olivier Dubois celebrates 500 days kidnapped in Mali

First modification: 08/21/2022 – 23:16

500 days without being able to return home and with practically no news of him. That is how long the French journalist Olivier Dubois has been kidnapped in Mali by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims. A major drama for this correspondent in the Sahel area, a professional known for his experience in the field who, however, became in April 2021 one more victim of the jihadist terrorism that has plagued this African region for years.

Dubois was captured by this organization in the middle of the desert, in a place near the city of Gao, when he was preparing to interview a jihadist spokesman in the area. Since that date, only two proofs of the reporter’s life have been obtained, an issue that has caused pain and concern to multiply among his relatives.

The first proof of life was a few weeks after his kidnapping took place. On that occasion, the journalist appeared speaking in front of a camera confirming his identity and his detention situation. In the recording, broadcast on social networks, he was seen sitting inside what looks like a tent.

Since then, nothing was known about his condition until March 2022, almost a year later, when he confirmed that he was still alive and that he could listen to messages broadcast from his relatives via Radio France International. Messages that were “a breath of fresh air and hope.” Every day on the 8th of each month these proclamations for his release are broadcast by this radio and television channels such as France 24.

Dubois is a journalist specialized in the Sahel region and fully experienced in working in an area plagued by violence since 2012, when a series of jihadist groups took control of up to three regions in the north and east of the nation. north african However, that did not prevent him from being the target of this violence.

During his years as a correspondent, he was able to work with several French media outlets such as ‘Liberation’ and ‘Le Point Afrique’, witnessing firsthand the rise in power of jihadism in the region and the deterioration of relations between the Malian government and France.

As a way of commemorating this date, Dubois’ relatives have mobilized through social networks to remind the authorities not to forget about this case, which currently remains the only French citizen kidnapped in the world. In addition, they called a virtual protest to speak with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

The departure of French troops in Mali complicates their situation

The French authorities defend that during this period they have tried to obtain the release of Dubois in different ways, without success. Different groups, such as Reporters Without Borders, have pressured the French state to take action on the matter in a more active way. However, worsening bilateral relations with Mali have made liberation seem further away.

In recent months, the military junta has banned the broadcast of France 24 and its sister radio RFI in this country, an issue that makes it difficult for Dubois to listen to messages from his family. To this must be added that less than a week ago the last French troops left the region.

The end of the Barkhane military mission means that the possibility of Dubois being rescued by the French army disappears and that it is only the Malian army that has the possibility of locating him in an area where the state has practically no presence.

The fight against jihadism in the Sahel has been one of the priorities of the French government since 2013. A presence that has raised numerous tensions between the two countries, because despite its deployment in much of the territory, terrorist attacks they have continued to increase in this nation and have spread to other countries such as Burkina Faso.

In addition, the military coups that have taken place in Mali in 2020 and 2021 and that have brought to power a military junta led by Colonel Assimi Goitia have generated various condemnations by France that have caused the relationship to deteriorate.

This mission now has its focus on moving to the neighboring country of Niger, a nation that is also suffering from the jihadist scourge. After his departure, the French government promised to continue helping the population suffering from jihadism in Mali, although it will have to do so from outside its borders.

Since 2012, in Mali alone, more than 10,000 people have died as a result of jihadist violence. Figures to which we must add the 5.4 million people who are displaced or refugees in other countries due to this issue.

Meanwhile, five months after his last video, Dubois’s situation remains unknown to his relatives and bad news for journalists in the area, which sees how he is under threat from this type of group.

With AFP and local media