Press & Media

We’re in the media

A selection of articles and appearances tracing Edile Consulting and Sihem Souid’s presence in national and international media.

Articles Video 2016 — 2022
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2022 World Cup — Our friend Qatar
Press

2022 World Cup – Our friend Qatar

But the key figure in this world is a woman, Sihem Souid, a former border police officer who made a name for herself in 2010 with a hard-hitting book, “Omerta dans la police.” After serving as spokesperson for Arnaud Montebourg, she joined Christiane Taubira’s cabinet at the Ministry of Justice. She also contributed to the weekly Le Point. It was through her that the Emir secured, this past September 15, the magazine’s cover and no fewer than 16 pages of interviews to promote his regime. Sihem Souid was recruited by Meshal al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to France from 2013 to 2016. “He was there to clean house, to end the era when French politicians treated Qatar like the Bank of France,” says this 41-year-old woman, whose bluntness is unusual for a communications professional. In other words: change Qatar’s image. Polish it up.

Sihem Souid also makes no secret of her frustration, as she struggles to find support for the emirate just weeks before the World Cup: “I’m tired of people who go there to do business and then hide when it comes to defending us! We’d like the government to tell the truth. Qatar is an ally of France and has nothing to be ashamed of. Thanks to this World Cup, a lot has improved on the ground.”

A charm offensive in Qatar for the Quai d’Orsay
Public affairs

A charm offensive in Qatar for the Quai d’Orsay

“On the sidelines of the Doha Forum, France worked to advance the thorny gas issue with Qatari authorities. The event also allowed the Élysée to encourage the emirate’s pro-Kyiv shift.

It was in the halls of Doha’s landmark Sheraton hotel that a host of international political and economic figures gathered on March 26 and 27, under the direct supervision of the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Against the backdrop of the energy crisis, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian ultimately agreed to address this Doha Forum gathering, whose organization and communications were notably facilitated by the French lobbyist Sihem Souid and her firm Edile Consulting (disclosure filed 04/05/21). He used the occasion to remind the Emir of the strength of bilateral relations between France and Qatar, before flying on to Muscat and Kuwait City.”

Doha entrusts Brussels and Strasbourg to Sihem Souid
EU influence

Doha entrusts Brussels and Strasbourg to Sihem Souid

“Communications professional Sihem Souid has just renewed her press relations and public affairs contract with Qatar. Her remit now extends to Belgium and Strasbourg, where she will handle pro-Qatari lobbying at the European Parliament. The former police officer, who works for the gas- and oil-rich emirate’s ambassador in Paris, signed directly with the Government Communications Office, based in Doha and headed by Saif Ahmed al-Thani.”

Qatar courts media executives
Media relations

Qatar courts media executives

The emirate has called on the services of Sihem Souid, a figure close to the Socialist Party who now monetizes her connections…

Sihem Souid’s first client, Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador in Paris, tasked her with inviting press executives to respond to accusations against the emirate over its murky role in financing ISIS.

The four-year contract was signed with Edile Consulting, of which Sihem Souid is managing director. Juggling her roles as a columnist at Le Point and as a communications professional, she wasted no time: she organized several lunches with print media executives, including Christophe Barbier, editor of L’Express, in late October, and Laurent Joffrin, accompanied by two journalists from Libération, in mid-March. Her mentor Franz-Olivier Giesbert and Etienne Gernelle, her boss at Le Point, also visited the ambassador’s residence in March. The same went for television executives: BFMTV director Alain Weill came with Ruth Elkrief and Ulysse Gosset to the diplomat’s table in October…

Video

How can we fight injustice?

Sihem Souid is the guest of Adile Farquane.

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