Sophie Pétronin

Maryam Pétronin (born Sophie Pétronin; 7 July 1945) is a French-Swiss humanitarian aid worker and nutritionist. She is the founder and director of "Aide à Gao" (Help for Gao), a Swiss non-governmental relief organization that assists children suffering from malnutrition. While working in Gao in 2016, she was abducted by Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, the official branch of Al-Qaeda in Mali. Following her disappearance, the Ministère Public and the General Directorate for Internal Security opened an investigation. She appeared in multiple videos released by her captors, pleading her son and French government for help. She was released in October 2020, alongside Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cisse and two Italian citizens, after being held hostage for 1,381 days. She converted to Islam in 2002, year when she adopted a local girl, Zeinabou and returned to Mali in March 2021 for which she was heavily criticised given the efforts made for her release.

Pétronin revealed that Béatrice Stöckli, a Swiss Christian missionary who had been held hostage alongside her, was killed earlier that year by the terrorist organization.

Early life Pétronin was born on 7 July 1945 in Bordeaux, France. She trained as a laboratory assistant and completed medical training in specialized issues including malnutrition and tropical medicine.

Career She settled in Gao, Mali, in 2001, and opened Aide a Gao, a Swiss non-governmental organization who helps children suffering from malnutrition, in 2004. She serves as the director of Aide à Gao. In 2013, she wrote a book titled Le fil de lumière, which details her experiences working in Africa.

Abduction In 2012, members of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad attacked towns throughout Mali, including Gao, following the 2012 Malian coup d'état and Tuareg Rebellion that overthrew President Amadou Toumani Touré. Pétronin appeared in a second video released in March 2018. In a third video, released in June 2018, Pétronin addressed her son directly, and the French government. In November 2018 another video was sent to her family in which she did not appear directly but a photograph of her was shown. She was reportedly being held near Tessalit. Her kidnappers had accused her of "religious proselytism".

Pétronin's son, Sébastien Chadaud-Pétronin, travelled to Mali in November 2018 to try and hasten the release of his mother, and called on French president Emmanuel Macron to negotiate for her release. He expressed concerns for his mother's health, who was suffering from cancer and malaria at the time of her abduction. "While traditionally the head of state speaks after a hostage release, Emmanuel Macron canceled his speech before leaving Villacoublay." She said of her Al-Qaeda kidnappers "I was always respected, they took care of me. They brought me a doctor when I was sick. He came back to see me several times."

Release Pétronin was released in October 2020, after 1,381 days in captivity, alongside Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cisse and two Italians citizens, a Catholic priest named Father Pierluigi Maccalli, and Nicola Chiacchio. Pétronin's release was part of an exchange with the militant group, in which Mali freed more than 100 suspected or convicted jihadists as part of the negotiations for her freedom. At the time of her release, she had been the last French citizen to be held hostage in the world. The Malian president released a statement stating, "The presidency of the Republic confirms the liberation of Mr. Soumaïla Cissé and Ms. Sophie Pétronin. The former hostages are en route for Bamako". The French president released a statement voicing "immense relief" at Pétronin's release.

She was taken to the French Embassy in Bamako, where she told reporters that she had "transformed detention into a spiritual retreat" and "prayed a lot". Despite being abducted and held hostage, Pétronin stated that she wished to return to Mali to continue her charity work after spending time back home in France and Switzerland. She is married to Jean-Pierre Chadaud and they have two children.

Return to Mali

In 2021, Pétronin returned to Mali via Senegal without following standard formalities, thus avoiding the pressure being exercised by French authorities who attempted to stop her from getting a visa. She lived in Bamako for seven months, before local officials launched a search for her. Pétronin went back to Mali in March 2021 to be with her adopted daughter. After her repeated visa requests were refused by Mali, she went to Senegal, and then overland to Mali. Government Spokesman Gabriel Attal deplored her "irresponsibility" in returning to Mali, given that French soldiers had been killed in rescue operations. Malian officials are searching for her and under orders to escort her to the national police.