Mali Releases Three Detained Ivorian Soldiers

Three of the 49 Ivorian soldiers detained in Bamako by the Malian Authorities have been released to return to their country.

The three who are women, were released on humanitarian grounds. They were part of the 49 soldiers sent to support the United Nation’s peacekeeping mission in Mali.

The Malian government as of July 10, 2022, detained the 49 Ivorian soldiers on the ground that they were mercenaries that flew into the country without permission, which they considered to be against the government of Mali.

The claim was, however, denied by the government of Ivory Coast. According to the government in Abidjan, their trip was well known by the Malian government.

Togo has been mediating talks between the two countries to secure the release of the soldiers. The foreign Minister of the West African country, Robert Dusse, while speaking on Saturday with journalists at the Togolese capital Lome, said “Discussions are under way to ensure that the other soldiers (46) in detention can very quickly regain their full freedom.”