French journalist reportedly kidnapped by Islamists in Mali

dpa

The non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for the release of a French journalist who has reportedly been kidnapped in Mali.

The correspondent had been reporting from the city of Gao when he didn’t return to his hotel after lunch on April 8, RSF secretary general Christophe Deloire wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

Deloire referred to a video which has been circulating online in which the journalist says that he has been kidnapped by an Islamist group, appealing to his family and the authorities to do everything for his release.

The French Foreign Ministry confirmed the disappearance of the correspondent when asked by dpa. “We are in contact with both his family and the Malian authorities,” it said.

According to RSF, the journalist had worked for the daily Liberation, among other outlets.

“We were informed two days after his disappearance. In consultation with the editors who normally employ him, we decided not to make this hostage situation public so as not to hamper a possible positive outcome,” Deloire said on Twitter.

Islamist groups have been active in the West African country for years, routinely launching attacks on military forces or civilian groups. Some of the groups operating there have claimed allegiance to Islamic State, while others say they have ties to al-Qaeda.

The kidnapping of foreigners is a common occurrence. Last autumn, a French aid worker was released after being held hostage for four years.

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