Published on 03.20.2023 at 2:49 p.m. by Journal du Mali
The French journalist Olivier Dubois, former collaborator of the Journal du Mali was released on March 20 after 711 days of captivity. He was abducted on April 8, 2021 in Gao by the Islam and Muslim support group of Iyad Ag Ghlay. We still have little information on his release, but Olivier Dubois was released at the same time as an American Jeffery Woodke who had been kidnapped in Niger in 2016. In photos circulating on social networks, we see the two ex-hostages at Niamey airport. For his first speech, Olivier Dubois thanked Niger, France and RFI which allowed him to keep in touch with his family during his captivity. Niger would have played a big role in the liberations. The Frenchman and the American were handed over to the Nigerian authorities who then handed them over to the French and American authorities. The French Ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itté thanked the Nigerien authorities for having “actively contributed to this happy ending”. Olivier Dubois should arrive in France tomorrow Tuesday.
