24 January 2023

PRESS RELEASE

 WHO condemns abduction of colleague in Mali

BAMAKO, 24 January 2023 – World Health Organization (WHO) deplores the abduction of Dr Mahamadou Diawara, who was taken by unidentified assailants from his car on 23 January 2023 in the town of Menaka in northern Mali.

Dr Diawara, deployed by WHO in Menaka since the beginning of 2020, has been leading efforts to provide medical care to communities that are often remote and face insecurity risks and violence.

The driver of his car was also attacked, but the assailants left him behind and he is recovering from the incident.

The motive for the abduction is unclear.

WHO extends our sympathies to the family of Dr Diawara and is working with local authorities to investigate the abduction and ensure our colleague’s quick return to his family.

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LINK: WHO condemns abduction of colleague in Mali | WHO | Regional Office for Africa

Media contacts:

 Vincent Defait, Communications Consultant, WHO Regional Office for Africa

defaitv@who.int,  +256 758 851009

 Natalie Ridgard, Communications Officer, WHO Regional Office for Africa

ridgardn@who.int, +254 11289 0666

Saya Oka, Communications Manager, WHO Regional Office for Africa

okas@who.int, +47 241 39692

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