French Journalist Returns Home After Two Years of Captivity

After two years of being held hostage in Mali, French journalist Olivier Dubois returned to the outskirts of the French capital today, Tuesday, on a French presidential plane, where he was warmly welcomed by his family and French President Emmanuel Macron. Dubois was freed after going missing in Gao, northern Mali, in April 2021, and was transferred to Niger along with American aid worker Jeff Woodke, who was also released after spending over six years in captivity. Dubois stated in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on Monday, "It's great to be here today," adding, "I didn't expect this at all; I feel exhausted but I'm okay." He had appeared in a video pleading with authorities to do everything possible to secure his release from the Islamist militants holding him.