France's Le Drian confirms kidnapping of French journalist in Mali
Authored By Deeksha Teri
Published: May 23, 2021, 24:44 IST | Updated: May 23, 2021, 24:44 IST
FILE PHOTO: French European and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian speaks during a joint press conference in Paris, France March 11, 2021.
FrenchForeign Affairs Minister Jean-YvesLeDrianconfirmed on Sunday that aFrenchjournalistwho disappeared last month inMali's northern city of Gao had probably been taken hostage by Islamist militants in West Africa's arid Sahel region.
Olivier Dubois this month appeared in a video appealing to authorities to do everything they can to free him from the JNIM (al Qaeda North Africa) holding him.
Frenchauthorities have previously only confirmed Dubois' disappearance.
"Everythingleads us to believe he's the hostage of a jihadist group",LeDriantold RTL radio.