This is the first proof of life since May 2021. French journalist Olivier Dubois, kidnapped while reporting in Gao, northern Mali, on April 8, 2021, appears in a video. Olivier Dubois, the only known French hostage in the world, is alone on the screen, wearing a blue chèche and visibly in good health. He addresses his relatives and the French government. A reason for relief, for his family.
One minute and nine seconds, it’s short but this video does a lot of good for all those close to Olivier Dubois. The various members of his family have expressed their joy in front of these images of Olivier Dubois, apparently in good health and whose voice and words give off a certain strength and give them confidence. Even if, of course, proof of life does not make it possible to prejudge the continuation of the actions undertaken for his release. Moreover, there is no reaction at this stage from the Malian or French authorities.
On the video that was broadcast, we hear the French journalist, alone on the screen in front of a simple gray wall, himself recalling the identity of his captors, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, led by Iyad Ag Ghali and linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Above all, Olivier Dubois addresses all his relatives, of whom he confirms hearing the messages broadcast on RFI every 8th of the month: his sister, his father, his mother, and Déborah, the mother of his children, to whom he explains that he is at appointment that she has fixed for him, every day, at 5:30 p.m., to watch the last rays of the day together.
This last information makes it possible to date, at least, this video since this meeting was given by Déborah in a message broadcast on January 8. We therefore know that this video was recorded after this date, a little over three months ago. Some sources even assure that the recording would date from the beginning of February.
In this video, Olivier Dubois also confides that a photo of his children reached him, which means that he was able to receive messages in person. This shows that a direct contact is established. And it is obviously an immense source of hope for those close to him, who are awaiting his release. The journalist also asks ” all who work in this sense, and he specifically quotes the French government, to continue to do so.