The French government assured this Friday that it remains fully committed to the release of the journalist Olivier Dubois kidnapped in Mali, after the withdrawal this week of the Barkhane force from this country plagued by the expansion of jihadism.
“The withdrawal of Operation Barkhane from Mali in no way diminishes France’s mobilization to free Mr. Olivier Dubois,” deputy foreign affairs spokesman François Delmas told reporters.
The last French soldier left Mali after nine years of commitment against the jihadists. The junta in power in Bamako since the August 2020 coup has turned away from France and its allies to Russia.
Only French hostage included in the world
“Everything possible is being done to obtain the release of our compatriot,” François Delmas said as Olivier Dubois’ 500th day in captivity approached on Sunday.
The freelance journalist himself, who has lived and worked in Mali since 2015, announced his kidnapping in a video uploaded to social networks on May 5, 2021. There he explained that he had been kidnapped on April 8 in Gao, in northern Mali. . by the Group for the Support of 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.
His family have asked that a postcard be sent to President Emmanuel Macron as he approaches his 500th day in captivity asking when Olivier Dubois will be released.
The Deputy Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs assured that the French authorities maintain regular contact with their relatives. He reiterated that when it comes to kidnappings, “discretion is an essential condition for the effectiveness of the State’s action and the security of people.”
Source: BFM TV
