Mali: a WHO doctor kidnapped in Ménaka
Doctor Mahammadou Diawara had been in Ménaka since the beginning of 2020 (illustration image).
Souleymane AG ANARA / AFP
Text by: David Baché
1 min
The World Health Organization, which made the information public on Tuesday, said in its press release that “
the reason for the abduction remains unknown
”.
Advertising
Read more
Dr. Mahamadou Diawara was abducted Monday, January 23 "
by unidentified people
" while driving "
in his car
" in the city.
According to the WHO press release, his driver "
was also assaulted and abandoned by the perpetrators of the kidnapping
".
Deployed in Ménaka since the beginning of 2020, Dr Diawara has experience in difficult terrain: this Malian surgeon had criss-crossed the Timbuktu region in 2012, during the occupation of the North by jihadist groups, before spending several years in Gao and then ask himself to be assigned to Ménaka, according to information transmitted by the WHO.
This region has been experiencing a bloody struggle for influence for almost a year between the jihadists of the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (Jnim, its Arabic acronym), linked to al-Qaeda, and their rivals of the Islamic State group. .
At this point, the kidnapping of the WHO doctor has not been claimed.
"
These are usually simple bandits who demand a ransom after a few days
," said a local security source.
Kidnappings of humanitarians are frequent in Mali, by jihadist groups or by simple criminals.
Sometimes to treat their wounded, more often to get money.
In its press release, the WHO indicates that it is collaborating with the local authorities “
to investigate the kidnapping and ensure the rapid return
” of the doctor.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
mali
WHO