Daouda Kon, the ORTM director based in Douentza in centralMali, and his cameraman Salif Sangar were taken on 14 October while travelling betweenSvar, a major road junction near Mopti, and Konna, a town further northeast on the Niger River flood plain.
The footage shows both men wearing boubous in front of a cloth backdrop that hides their surroundings. They look dejected but appear in good health.
Speaking under duress, the pair said they were being treated well and called on those watching to do everything possible to free them.
After viewing the clips,ORTMjournalists told RFI they were"hard to watch and it hurts a lot.
Malis transitional authorities the military-led government that took power aftercoups in 2020 and 2021have offered no public reaction since the men were taken a month and a half ago.
Mali faces record number of kidnappings of foreigners by jihadist group
Wish for 'discretion'
Management at ORTM and national journalist organisations have also remained silent.
There has been no official statement following the release of the video either. One source said there was a wish for discretion and effectiveness.
Local sources said community leaders from the Mopti region had opened discussions with JNIM, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group known for attacks, kidnappings and assaults on security forces across theSahel.
Some sources said they were surprised by the publication of the footage and now fear the situation may be stuck. An ORTM journalist said: We hope to find our colleagues safe and sound soon.
Mali under pressure to end fuel crisis as negotiations with jihadists stall
Fuel embargo
In a separate move, Malis transitional authorities have decorated fuel operators and drivers taking part in fuel convoys, including some who were killed.
It comes during an embargo on fuel imports to the country declared in early September by JNIM, which is linked to al-Qaeda and has carried out repeated attacks on tankers on Malian roads.
Presidential decrees published in the Official Journal on 1 December granted honours to 16 oil company executives and union leaders, to 31 injured drivers and, posthumously, to 27 drivers killed on Malian roads, including three Ivorians and one Burkinab.
The recognition reflects the support given by fuel operators and the sacrifices made by transport workers who continue trying to supply the country.
Militaryescorts have been strengthened and administrative procedures sped up in the past 10 days, easing pressure on the capital.
Originally published on RFI
