French journalist Olivier Dubois, hostage in the Sahel since 2021, has been released after 711 days of captivity, we learned on Monday 20 March.
Olivier Dubois arrived at Niamey airport free-handed almost two years after he was kidnapped by the Mali’s Islam and Muslim Support Group (GSIM), an AFP journalist reports. When he got off the plane, he was smiling and visibly moved, wearing an open white shirt and beige pants.
sequel after announcement
“I feel tired, but I’m fine.”He said when he got off the plane.
“It is a great thing for me to be here, to be free, and I wanted to pay tribute to Niger for its expertise in this delicate mission and to pay tribute to France and everyone who allowed me to be there today.”He added in front of several journalists.
Removed April 8, 2021
Jeffrey Woodky, who was kidnapped in October 2016 in Niger, has also been released for American humanitarian action. Leaning on a stubble, white hair, he appeared beside Oliver Dubois.
The hostages were recovered unharmed by the Nigerian authorities before they were handed over to the French and US authorities. Niger’s Interior Minister Hamdou Sole said on Monday at the airport.
sequel after announcement
In a tweet, Emmanuel Macron indicated that he and Olivier Dubois exchanged: It’s healthy. A huge relief to the nation, his loved ones and fellow journalists.wrote pointing to “Big gratitude to Niger for this release.”
The release of Olivier Dubois is “great relief” After 711 days in captivity in Mali, “The longest hostage for a French journalist since the Lebanon war”Reporters Without Borders welcomed. “We’ve had reassuring news on several occasions in recent months, and again recently: he seemed to be doing well, but the length of his captivity had us concerned.”Reporters Without Borders Secretary-General Christophe Deloire commented in an interview with Agence France-Presse.
Before his kidnapping, Olivier Dubois, a freelance journalist, had been living and working in Mali since 2015, collaborating notably with Liberation, Le Point and Jeune Afrique. He had himself confirmed his abduction in a video clip broadcast on social networks on May 5, 2021. There he explained that he had been captured on April 8 in Gao, northern Mali, by GSIM, the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel, associated with. to the base.
