Dissemination of evidence of hostage life in Mali calling on their governments for help
In two separate videos circulating on social media and authenticated by several sources, a Malian hostage and another of South African nationality call for help. They claim to be detained by Iyag Ag Ghaly's Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim).
South African nurse Gert Jacobus van Deventer has been in the hands of Jnim in Mali since 2017. © Facebook Capture
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The first video shows South African Gerco Van Deventer, kidnapped in 2017 in Libya and most likely transferred to northern Mali. He had accompanied Olivier Dubois during part of the captivity of the French journalist. We see the man with a full beard, dressed in a traditional outfit that is found especially in the Sahel. In front of the camera, he probably speaks under duress. This professional nurse presents himself and asks "urgently" for help to facilitate any action that could lead to his release.
In another video, the second hostage, a Malian national, is a former elected official. He was abducted by armed men on 23 April in southern Mali. For his part, he calls on the head of the Malian junta, Colonel Assimi Goïta, and his Prime Minister to do everything possible to negotiate his release. He says he suffers from illness and heat.
The two hostages indicate May 26 as the date of recording of the videos. According to sources close to the case, by publishing the videos, the JNIM kidnappers have two objectives: to give proof of life or new evidence of life of the hostages, and to put pressure on their country to accelerate discussions for their release.
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- Mali