Release of hostages in Mali: too expensive?

Audio 49:00

Sophie Pétronin and Soumaïla Cissé, the leader of the Malian opposition, are greeted upon their arrival at Modibo Keita international airport in Bamako, October 8, 2020. Michele Cattani / AFP

By: Alain Foka

50 min

The release last Thursday (October 8, 2020) of four hostages in Mali sparked great joy and hope.

But, past the moments of euphoria that accompany this happy event, the question now arises of the price paid.

Publicity

Is it reasonable to exchange four hostages for some 200 prisoners, including the terrorists who struck and killed in Ouagadougou, Bamako or Grand-Bassam?

Isn't it too expensive if, in addition, a ransom is paid to armed groups?

In the sub-region, many wonder about the consequences of this agreement.

With our guests:

, former Malian Prime Minister, president of the Yelema party

, publication director of the Malian weekly Nouvelle Liberation

, researcher at the Institute for Security Studies ISS - Bamako

, journalist, writer, former editor of the Letter from the Continent.

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• Mali

• Terrorism

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