Twenty months of captivity in Mali for the French journalist Olivier Dubois

French journalist Olivier Dubois in Nioro, Mali in September 2020. © MICHELE CATTANI/AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

Pending the release of Olivier Dubois, every 8th of the month, RFI offers his relatives to send him a message.

In his last proof of life, Olivier confirmed that he could hear them where he was.

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20 months ago, on April 8, our colleague Olivier Dubois was kidnapped in Gao, in northern Mali, while he was on assignment.

An independent French journalist, he works notably for

,

and

.

He was to interview a local executive of Jnim, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, led by Iyad Ag Ghaly and linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

He never came back from his meeting.

Since his kidnapping, Olivier Dubois has appeared

, in which he explains himself to be detained by the Jnim.

The Malian and French authorities have indicated on several occasions that they are fully mobilized for his release, while recalling the need for great discretion on the actions that can be taken.

Hi Olivier, by following the ritual that your situation imposes on us, it is with renewed pleasure that I have this unique opportunity to communicate with you through this medium.

For more than 600 days it is impossible for me to do otherwise.

I hope my message finds you as well as possible.

On November 10, my birthday, your absence created a certain chill.

However, we remain mobilized for your forthcoming release through various actions.

So hold on and trust, the whole family sends you big kisses and see you soon.

Your father who loves you.

Think of the future Olivier, keep the faith.

We had good times, there are so many things we will do together, live differently, live free.

I wish to see you every day, because you don't deserve to live this in his spiral of life, it's unfair.

I pray for you and that God preserves you, that the light is the message of beautiful days towards an ocean of humanity.

I think of you Olivier and may inner peace be with you.

I kiss you.

André-Georges and Valérye Dubois, Olivier's father and one of Olivier's sisters

David Bache

Olivier, I hope you are well.

We cling on, always thanks to you and the love we have for you.

Gigi has braces, she has an overall average of 16.3.

This is to make you proud.

Sael wears glasses.

Everyone keeps telling him that he looks the same as you.

He does very well in reading.

And I am here, I do not lose either confidence or hope.

And now, Oliver.

I would like to address your captors.

Please, we need Olivier, he is an innocent, respectful and respectable man.

He came in good faith and with confidence.

He is not the enemy of anyone, he has never harmed or harmed anyone.

Because of our two children, because of God, in the name of Islam and its principles, please release Olivier.

Déborah Al Hawi Al Masri, partner of Olivier Dubois

David Bache

609th day of captivity, i.e. 20 months of absence.

No release since, you are still a hostage in Mali.

Here, your return to France is highly anticipated.

Many messages of support, offers of help for you, mom, Benjamin and I have received.

So that this next party is not once again a defeat, keep in mind that nearly 120,000 petitioners, among others, are waiting for you.

Also keep in mind that you are my brother and that I love you and that nothing, absolutely nothing in the world, can change that. 

Olivier, another bitter Christmas for you or you will be far from your son, Cinnamon and your mother.

Both are extremely strong women.

You know them, whole and brave.

Incessantly, they have been mobilized for 20 months, 600 days now.

We all three continue to act so that you are not forgotten.

Courage, hold on, hold on brother-in-law.

Canèle Bernard, one of Olivier Dubois' sisters, and her companion Benjamin

David Bache

My son, all my thoughts, my affection, go out to you.

This hard ordeal that you have been going through for 20 months, 600 days, is extremely difficult, endless for you.

The sadness does not leave me.

Know that you are not alone, we continue to work for you, so that you find your freedom.

The coming period is not the happiest, but my will, my determination to find you will not go away.

I send you all my thoughts, all my love.

I love you Olivier, don't forget it, I kiss you.

Olivier Dubois' mother

David Bache

And we also do not forget the Malian journalist Moussa M'Bana Dicko, kidnapped on April 18, 2021 in the center of the country.

A thought also for all the other hostages, whether journalists or not, detained in Mali or elsewhere.

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