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

Archive photo transmitted by the Support Committee for the release of Olivier Dubois.

He was kidnapped on April 8, 2021 in Gao, northern Mali, where he had gone to report on the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (Jnim).

© Support committee for the release of Olivier Dubois

Text by: RFI Follow

5 mins

22 months to the day have passed since the kidnapping of Olivier Dubois, this Wednesday, February 8.

An independent journalist, notably for

Liberation

,

Jeune Afrique

or

Le Point

, he was reporting in Gao, in northern Mali, when he was kidnapped by the Jnim, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, led by Iyad Ag Ghaly and al-Qaeda ally in the Islamic Maghreb.

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Since he was kidnapped in Mali, Olivier Dubois has appeared in two videos, two proofs of life, in May 2021 and March 2022. The Malian and French authorities have always ensured that they are mobilized to obtain his release, while maintaining a necessary discretion on ongoing actions.  

In France, a judicial investigation was opened and two investigating judges were appointed in October 2022, but the information was only revealed a little less than a month ago.

An additional source of hope for those close to Olivier Dubois, who hope that this progress in the legal proceedings will speed up the initiatives underway to bring the journalist home.  

Pending the happy news, RFI gives the floor to his family, like every 8 of the month.

Olivier Dubois has already been able to testify, in the last video broadcast by his captors, that he heard these words of comfort addressed to him by his relatives.

Honey, I know I've told you this before, but it's not your fault.

So forgive yourself and forgive the world for everything that has happened in your life.

It is healthy.

And I, too, ask your forgiveness for the slightest thing that may have hurt your heart.

I always tried to do my best with the means I had.

Today, I understood who I am, why it was so hard for me to express myself, why I am so sensitive.

And I understood a lot about you too.

Life didn't spare us...but it wasn't our fault.

Whatever happens, we have always remained united, and this distance does not change anything.

It's always you and me, the kids, the rest after.

So forgive and clear your heart of what is not necessary.

It is life-saving.

I love you more than anything, my love.

You know, to hold on,

I still cling to this thought: you who are liberated and who pass the step of our house.

It is my dream and that of the children.

That we meet at home, in our house, in our privacy, and nowhere else

.

»

Déborah Al Hawi Al Masri, companion of Olivier Dubois and mother of their two children

“ 

I have not forgotten you my son.

What you are going through and difficult to live with.

But every day, I think and I hope that it is tomorrow that I will be told of your freedom that we are all waiting for to finally hold you in our arms.

Canèle and Benjamin move a lot for you.

They do a wonderful job of support and awareness in France.

Keep being strong, mentally and physically, hold on.

I think of you very strongly.

I kiss you my son.

 »

The mother of Olivier Dubois, detained in Mali for 22 months

“ 

Hello Oliver.

Days pass and you're still not back with us.

However, we remain hopeful that we will soon have the pleasure of celebrating your return.

Do like us and stay positive despite the situation.

You have to believe in victory to have victory.

Take charge of yourself to stay positive.

We hope that your ordeal will have a favorable outcome in the near future.

I wish you a lot of courage and say see you soon.

Your father who does not forget you.

 »

“ 

My brother, because life goes so fast, we too often forget to say that we love each other.

I think of you in silence, of all our dreams, our laughter, our battles.

Today, I admire the man you have become

: authentic, fine, cultured and close to everything you carry in your heart.

People who know you have a lot of respect for you and for what you have achieved in your life.

I remain lucid in the face of the ordeal you are going through.

I know you are capable of being resilient and of facing difficulties with heart and will.

I remain confident, because everything will make sense, and I cling to the hope of taking you in my arms.

I think about you a lot.

 »

André-Georges and Valérye, father and sister of Olivier Dubois

For you as for us, the months pass.

However, more than 120,000 people are asking for your release via our petition.

Avignon, then Marseille and its metropolis, walk hand in hand with us and now publicly relay your situation.

As in the city of the popes, your portrait is now visible to all Marseillais.

From the Stade Vélodrome to the city center among others, no one can ignore your case.

We had neither had nor seen such support, such mobilization for you from a municipality.

Mom, Benjamin and I are very touched by this involvement.

And as they say in Marseille: ''Forever the first.'' But the people of Marseille will show it to you when you return to France.

The Marseille city, dear to the heart of the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, is setting an example.

Bro, we hope you catch wind of it.

 »

Canèle Bernard, one of Olivier Dubois' sisters

RFI also does not forget our Malian colleague Moussa M'Bana Dicko, kidnapped on April 18, 2021 in the center of the country.

A thought also for all the other hostages, whether they are journalists or not, and whatever their nationality, detained in Mali or elsewhere.

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