Born: 1956
Died: 2013
Biography:
Ghislaine Dupont (French: [ɡis.lɛn dy.pɔ̃]; 13 January 1956 – 2 November 2013) was a French journalist who specialized in African issues. She was known for her dedication to investigative journalism and her in-depth reporting on the continent’s political and social challenges.
Born on January 13, 1956, Dupont spent her childhood in Africa, which sparked her interest in the region’s affairs. After completing her education, she enrolled in the prestigious École supérieure de journalisme de Paris to pursue her passion for journalism.
Dupont began her career as a writer for Ouest-France and Témoignage Chrétien. She then went on to work with various free radio stations, including Gilda La Radiopolitaine in Paris. In 1986, she joined Radio France Belfort and later became a correspondent for Radio France Internationale (RFI). She also worked with private radio station Radio Méditerranée Internationale in Tangier, Morocco.
In 1990, Dupont returned to RFI and focused her work solely on African issues. She covered a wide range of topics and conflicts, including her reporting from Angola with UNITA, the Sierra Leone conflict involving the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), the Djibouti crisis, the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict, the genocide in Rwanda, the civil war in Sudan, and the political turmoil in Algeria and Ivory Coast. Her investigative work in Ivory Coast uncovered the presence of mass graves in Abidjan.
Dupont’s long-standing involvement in African affairs led her to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1997. She played a crucial role in the creation of Radio Okapi, which aimed to promote peace and provide independent journalism in the war-torn country. Radio Okapi, known as The Frequency of Peace, became one of the leading news media outlets in the DRC.
Tragically, Ghislaine Dupont’s life was cut short on November 2, 2013. While on assignment in northeastern Mali, she and technician Claude Verlon were abducted and killed by unidentified assailants. Their deaths sent shockwaves through the journalism community and highlighted the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones.
In honor of Dupont’s and Verlon’s contributions to journalism, they were posthumously awarded decorations by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the president of Mali. Their legacy also lives on through the Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon scholarships, established by Radio France Internationale. These scholarships provide opportunities for young African journalists and technicians to study in Paris.
Ghislaine Dupont will always be remembered for her unwavering dedication to investigative journalism, her editorial rigor, and her exceptional political analysis. Her courageous reporting on African issues has left an indelible mark on the field of journalism and has had a lasting impact on the societies she covered.
Awards:
– Posthumous decorations from the President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita
– Ghislaine Dupont et Claude Verlon scholarships, established by Radio France Internationale