Media Freedom Advocates Renew Calls for Answers in 2013 Murder of RFI Journalists in Mali

International press freedom groups are renewing pressure on French and Malian authorities to fully clarify the 2013 killings of veteran Radio France Internationale (RFI) journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in northern Mali and to ensure accountability for those responsible. The renewed push follows procedural developments in the long-running inquiry into the journalists’ deaths.

Dupont, a respected reporter known for her extensive coverage of African affairs, and Verlon, a seasoned sound engineer, were abducted and killed near Kidal on November 2, 2013, while reporting on the security and political climate in Mali’s conflict-affected north. Armed assailants aligned with jihadist groups have been widely attributed responsibility, but investigations have stalled for years without clear outcomes.

In a statement on February 20, 2026, the International Press Institute (IPI) welcomed recent progress in the case, including a formal request by a French investigating judge to declassify military documents that could shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the killings. IPI urged the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and relevant Malian authorities to release all remaining confidential records related to the case to allow for a transparent, thorough inquiry and to break the long-standing impunity.

The renewed advocacy has been joined by other media freedom defenders who argue that clarity and accountability are essential not only for the families of Dupont and Verlon but also for broader press freedom principles. The reporters’ deaths remain emblematic of the risks faced by journalists covering armed conflict and insurgencies, particularly the threat of targeted violence by non-state actors.

The effort to press for answers comes amid ongoing concerns about the safety of journalists in conflict zones across West Africa, where militant groups operate alongside fragile security infrastructures. While some evidence has surfaced over the years — including arrests and field inquiries — investigative gaps remain, leading rights groups to argue that justice has yet to be fully served.

IPI’s call reflects a sustained international expectation that states must not allow deliberate attacks on journalists to go unexplained or unpunished, as such outcomes can undermine confidence in legal systems and the safety of journalists covering sensitive issues in volatile environments.

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France: Renewed push for answers into 2013 killing of RFI journalists in Mali