Emmanuel Macron "learned with immense relief the release" of Sophie Pétronin.

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Lewis Joly / AP / SIPA

Emmanuel Macron “learned with immense relief the release” of Sophie Pétronin, “held hostage in Mali for nearly four years,” the Elysee said in a statement Thursday evening.

"Happy to know that it is free", the President of the Republic "particularly thanks the Malian authorities for this liberation" and "assures them of France's entire will to support Mali in the fight it is waging with perseverance against terrorism in the Sahel ”, adds the presidency, without giving details on the circumstances of this release.

Sophie Pétronin is free.



Held hostage for almost 4 years in Mali, her release is a huge relief.

To his family, to his relatives, I send a message of sympathy.

To the Malian authorities, thank you.

The fight against terrorism in the Sahel continues.

- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 8, 2020

The French hostage was kidnapped by jihadists at the end of 2016 in Mali where she had settled fifteen years earlier to take care of malnourished children.

The release of Soumaïla Cissé hailed

Emmanuel Macron also "welcomed the release of Soumaïla Cissé, Malian politician kidnapped six months ago".

Both are believed to have been in the hands of groups linked to Al Qaeda.

Pressed by the family not to forget Sophie Pétronin and to agree to discuss with the kidnappers, the French leaders, starting with Emmanuel Macron, have always said they are working tirelessly, but in discretion.

Since Sunday, the release of dozens of jihadists detained in Malian prisons as well as statements by Malian officials raised the hope of an exchange so that Sophie Pétronin and Soumaïla Cissé reunite with their families.

But the Malian and French authorities had observed total silence.

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  • Mali

  • Emmanuel Macron

  • Hostage

  • Society