Freed journalist recounts harrowing Mali detention

A French journalist who had been kidnapped by militants in Mali and since freed has told the France 2 news channel that he made three attempts to escape.

“I made three escapes, I came back every time for different reasons,” Olivier Dubois said.

“The first time because it started to rain, I had thorns under my feet and then I had finished my water,” he continued.

He added that the detention conditions were “difficult” and that he had to “sleep on the floor, rain or shine”.

On Monday Mr Dubois arrived at an airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey, alongside US aid worker, Jeffery Woodke, who had also been kidnapped.

Their release was secured following efforts by authorities in Niger.