Latest update: 19/10/2012 

- Africa - diplomacy - François Hollande - hostages - Islamism - Mali - United Nations


French hostages in Africa: President Hollande in the danger zone

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One of the most difficult issues to deal with as a president is a hostage situation. François Hollande finds himself these days in the midst of a high-wire act, trying on the one hand to free six French hostages held in Africa while preparing to wage a war on the hostage-takers themselves in northern Mali. Is it a case of mission impossible?

POLITICS
By FRANCE 24

On the set:

  • Alexandre Vautravers, Head of the International Relations Department, Webster University;
  • Christian Chesnot, Journalist, France Inter; Former hostage in Iraq;
  • Pierre Cherruau, Senior Editor, Slate Afrique.
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