French Journalist Kidnapped By JNIM Speaks In ‘Proof of Life’ Video
The French journalist kidnapped by the Jama'at Nasril Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in Mali eleven months ago has expressed hope for his release, pleading with authorities to act.
Olivier Dubois, a French journalist kidnapped by the jihadist organisation Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in Mali in May 2021, has appeared in a new video urging authorities and relatives to do everything possible to secure his release.
In the one-minute-and-nine-second video, the distraught journalist expresses hope that he will be able to regain his freedom.
“Thank you for all of your radio messages to my family. They are a breath of fresh air and hope every month,” Dubois said in the new video.
Dubois, in a video last year stated that he was kidnapped while attempting to conduct an exclusive interview with Al-Qaeda leaders about their hostile relationship with the Islamic States for a documentary.
The Liberation, a media outlet with which Dubois works as a freelancer, ran a story about the undated video in French, describing it as “proof of life.”
In the video, the hostage addressed his “family, loved ones, and government” in a calm and assured tone.
In May 2021, HumAngle reported that Dubois made a similar appeal to authorities, families, and friends to secure his release.
On May 20, 2021, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concern for the hostage, urging his kidnappers to release him immediately and without harm.
“Dubois’ abduction is a reminder that journalists covering the Sahel region face an extremely high threat of abduction, and work under very dangerous circumstances,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator.
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