Release of Sister Gloria: relatives of Malian hostages rejoice but wonder
Several hostages, including a dozen Malians, are still in the hands of the jihadists of the GSIM ("Jnim"), the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, led by Iyad Ag Ghali.
(Illustration) AFP - HANDOUT
Text by: David Baché
3 min
Colombian nun, Sister Gloria Cécilia Narvaez, was released on Saturday October 9 after four years and eight months in captivity.
But the jihadists still hold several hostages, including at least ten Malians.
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Sister Gloria Narvaez was detained by the jihadists of the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM or Jnim), led by Iyad Ag Ghali.
His release was obtained
after negotiations led
by the Malian transitional authorities and by the Christian association Sant'Egidio, at the request of the Vatican.
A release that should not make us forget the other hostages still in the hands of Jnim, including the French journalist Olivier Dubois,
detained for more than six months
, among whom also at least ten Malians - all cases are not public - , including many state officials, kidnapped precisely for this reason.
Sakouba Mady Dembele, deputy secretary general of Syltmat, the Free Union of Workers of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, is mobilized for the release of his colleagues. “
The unions of the Ministry of Territorial Administration are delighted with the release of Sister Gloria, we have always sympathized with her pain. But at home, colleagues Drissa Sanogo, prefect of Gourma-Rharous, sub-prefect Ali Cissé,
were kidnapped
in the performance of their duties. There are also community agents, managers and even teachers who are in the hands of the kidnappers, and that is a long time ago. We appreciate the release of Sister Gloria, but we have been waiting for the release of our colleagues for years.
"
►
See also:
Mali announces the release of Colombian nun Gloria Narvaez kidnapped in 2017
On this occasion, the president of the transition Assimi Goïta specified that actions were still underway to free all the hostages detained, foreigners and Malians.
"
The highest authorities of Mali made us understand that they are
hard
at work,
admits the deputy secretary general of Syltmat, before qualifying:
But for the moment, we are waiting and there is no nothing concrete.
"
If Sakouba Mady Dembele is obviously delighted with the release of Sister Gloria, she also has a bitter taste for him. “
It was with amazement that we learned of Sister Gloria's release without our colleagues. I think if there is the will, the higher authorities could do it. But we remain optimistic: all Malians hostage will be freed. It is important to relieve the families that they feel the efforts of the high authorities. So communicate, at least with the families, so that they know at what level they are in the search for a solution in the release of these hostages.
"
The Syltmat representative specifies that since Sister Gloria's release, he has had no contact with the authorities.
However, he hopes to be able to discuss the situation with them soon.
“
In the coming days, we want to meet them to find out what happened, what prevented the release of our colleagues and other Malians?
We wonder about the sincerity of what we hear.
Are we really doing something to free our hostages?
"
►
To read also: Mali: two senior officials held hostage appear in a GSIM video
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Mali
Terrorism