Olivier Dubois, who has lived and worked in Mali since 2015, had himself announced his kidnapping in a video broadcast on social networks on May 5, 2021. The independent journalist explained that he had been kidnapped on April 8, 2021 in Gao, in the north of Mali, by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel, linked to Al-Qaeda. He is the only French hostage listed in the world.
On Friday August 19, the French government assured that it remained fully committed to his release, after the withdrawal of the Barkhane force this week. “The withdrawal of Operation Barkhane from Mali in no way diminishes the mobilization of France to free Olivier Dubois”explained the deputy spokesman for Foreign Affairs François Delmas to the press.
While the journalist will live, Sunday, August 21, his 500th day of captivity, several sisters and brothers have mobilized to demand his release. Among them, Anne-Sophie Lapix: “500 days have passed“, dropped the presenter of the 20 hours of France 2 in a video posted on Twitter. Harry Roselmack also spoke. “16 months now that we learned of the captivity of Olivier Dubois.“Before several other journalists spoke in turn.
Tomorrow will be the 500th day that Olivier Dubois has spent in captivity. Colleagues, actors of the profession, family and friends in France and Mali are launching an appeal.#FreeOlivierDuboispic.twitter.com/1d0yBe5N0x
— Support for Olivier Dubois – #FreeOlivierDubois (@FreeOlivierDub1) August 19, 2022
See also: Anne-Sophie Lapix: how Virginie Efira has just caused her downfall…
Adam Javal-Fauconnier