French journalist Olivier Dubois recounts 711 days hostage in Mali

In Mali, Olivier Dubois, a French journalist, was kidnapped while seeking to secure an interview with a leader of JNIM, a notorious al-Qaida affiliate in the Sahel. His captivity lasted for an agonizing 711 days, during which he faced daily hardships, including being chained to a tree and subsisting on dried goat meat while plotting his escape. Dubois meticulously documented his experiences on scraps of paper, which later contributed to a book chronicling his ordeal. Nearly two years post-release, Dubois disclosed insights about his captivity and how he navigated the dual challenge of survival and capturing the essence of his experience. During his captivity, Dubois recognized that a significant part of his resilience came from his identity as a journalist. He maintained a mental connection to his profession by continuing to ask questions and gather information about his captors and their motivations. This approach not only helped him cope with the psychological strain but also fostered a degree of rapport with his captors, allowing him to be treated more humanely. The Sahel has witnessed increasing violence from extremist groups, which have made kidnappings a critical part of their strategy in the region, leading to an alarming rise in hostage situations for foreign correspondents. Following his release, Dubois learned that his fixer had been an informant for French intelligence, which complicated the narrative of trust and betrayal surrounding his kidnapping. Dubois had been warned about the risks involved in his mission but chose to dismiss the signs due to misplaced trust. He indicated that his work had become a personal quest for truth, reflecting on the dualities of existence as an agnostic individual who experienced an intellectual shift during his captivity. While reading the Quran provided him comfort, it also opened a philosophical gateway that questioned his beliefs about faith and existence. Now, with his book titled 'Prisonnier du désert, 711 jours aux mains d’Al-Qaïda' published, Dubois expresses a desire to return to journalism. Yet, he acknowledges that the haunting memories of his ordeal linger, illustrating the profound impact such experiences have on a journalist's life, both personally and professionally. As Dubois navigates his future, his experiences shine a light on the complexities of reporting in regions fraught with conflict and the dangers that correspondents face in pursuit of truth.