In the spotlight: Sophie Pétronin wanted again in Mali
Audio 03:53
The former French hostage Sophie Pétronin, shortly after her release, on October 8, 2020, alongside her son, in Bamako.
AFP / Stringer
By: Johanne Burgell
3 min
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The former French hostage released a little over a year ago
, on October 8, 2020, after four years of captivity in northern Mali,
returned to Malian soil
. She arrived in March 2021, by the Senegalese border, with her son Sébastien. Sophie Pétronin is wanted by the Malian gendarmerie, which has been confirmed by the Ministry of Security. The
Mali Actu news
site had access to a document indicating that Sophie Pétronin was "
reported to Sikasso
", near the Burkinabè border. Information that has not been confirmed. This document gives the order "
to apprehend Sophie Pétronin and to lead her under good escort
" to the "d
general election of the national gendarmerie in Bamako
”.
The reasons for this wanted notice are not specified.
Why did Sophie Pétronin return to Mali?
This is the question that arises
today
. “
While any former captive would have taken a long time to return to places where many will never have returned, Sophie Pétronin has returned to Mali. Why would she have gone to Sikasso, at a time when northern and central Mali became
no-man's-land
after Barkhane packed up
. “Other questions are jostling, continues
Today.
“
What do we blame the ex-French hostage for? Do we suspect her of having hooked atoms with katibas?
The vagueness remains intact for the moment.
And
Today
adds: “
On the Malian side, we are talking about a 'misunderstanding' to be lifted, on the French side we are talking about a '
non-hostile act
' on the part of the Malians.
"
Washington suspends trade benefits granted to three African countries
In a letter to Congress, US President Joe Biden unveiled his intention to exclude from AGOA (the African Growth and Opportunity Act) Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea.
"
For bad news, it is
," laments
Le Pays
.
“
Accessing the American market without customs duties is a boon to earn foreign currency for the country. This is to say if the withdrawal of these three countries next January could be a blow to their respective economies.
The United States denounces human rights violations in Tigray and is concerned about the coups d'état in Bamako and Conakry.
And
Le Pays
concludes: “
Washington proves that it does not mess with predators of human rights
.
"
Tigrayan rebels advance towards Ethiopian capital
Le Point Afrique
speaks of "
a major turning point
" in almost a year of war between government forces and TPLF rebels.
"
Sensing the wind changing, the authorities of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa yesterday called on the population to organize and prepare to defend their neighborhoods
."
The government has resolved to declare a state of emergency throughout the country.
“
The rebels have claimed in recent days the capture of Dessie and Kombolcha, two towns located at a strategic crossroads 400 kilometers from Addis Ababa.
Le Point Afrique
reminds us that "
communications are cut off in much of northern Ethiopia, making it difficult to independently verify on the ground.
".
In Senegal, Macky Sall imposes the health pass
This is the title this Wednesday morning of the newspaper
L'Enquête
,
"
there is no longer any question, for people who are not vaccinated against Covid, to access public places,
" said the Senegalese president.
"
We must not allow vaccine-skeptics to jeopardize the considerable efforts made in particular by our valiant health professionals, engaged on the Covid front, at the risk of their health and their lives
".
The objective is to reach a rate of 60% of vaccinated by mid-2022.
But this pandemic “
must not make us forget the fight against HIV / AIDS.
It must remain more relevant than ever
”for the Head of State.
He announced an additional budget of two billion CFA francs.
Half will be given to civil society actors mobilized in the field.
AIDS, "
another pandemic
" for Macky Sall, and "
u
do major emergency
".
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