Mali said it was ready, Monday, July 18, to dialogue with Côte d’Ivoire, with Togo as mediator, about the 49 Ivorian soldiers arrested on July 10 in Bamako, according to a joint press release published after of a meeting between the President of the Malian Transition, Colonel Assimi Goïta, and the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Robert Dussey.
« The President of the Transition said he was open to dialogue and willing to work, in accordance with the spirit of brotherhood and excellent relations between Mali and Côte d’Ivoire, towards a happy outcome to this situation, including through diplomatic channels, in strict respect for the sovereignty of Mali”, says the text.
« The President of the transition, continues the press release, wished that Togo lead a mission of good offices between the parties concerned ».
Bamako and Abidjan do not agree on the mission of these Ivorian soldiers in Mali. If for Côte d’Ivoire the arrival of these soldiers in the Malian capital is linked to the UN Mission in Mali (Minusma), Bamako qualified them as « mercenaries » given the various reasons given by these soldiers for justify their presence in Mali, but also the professions listed on their passports.
According to the government spokesman, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, “the real profession of the military, including about thirty special forces, was for the most part concealed. On the majority of passports the professions listed were as follows: students, drivers, masons, mechanics, saleswomen, electricians, security guards, painters, etc.
Also, the UN clearly stated recently that these troops are not part of the personnel of the Minusma.
Never mind, Abidjan demands the immediate release of its soldiers.
By OMA Newsletter N° 786 of 19/07/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
