Mali: a month after his abduction, what becomes of Soumaïla Cissé?

Text by: Serge Daniel

It has been a month to the day that Malian opposition leader Soumaïla Cissé has been kidnapped by an armed group in the north while he was campaigning for the legislative elections. His relatives, who were abducted at the same time, were released. A crisis cell has been set up by his party, and another by the government to assist in his release. 

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From our correspondent in Bamako

With the two structures created, the discourse is the same: "  We have hope  ". But as in the case of negotiations to release hostages, the real work is done discreetly, far from the public eye, by men in the shadows. According to a source close to this community, Soumaïla Cissé was injured in the hand during his abduction. His fellow prisoners who were released confirm. According to the same source, " we know precisely, by technical means and others, that Soumaïla Cissé is doing well  ".

Abductors ? The mode of operation, the cries of "Allah Akbar", launched during the attack and other elements indicate that these are people who evolves in the sphere of alleged jihadists.

What are the kidnappers asking for? Can we hope for a quick release of the member? Our interlocutor familiar with the survey whispers: "The  less we talk about it, the more we are efficient  ". In other words, negotiations are progressing, but there are still obstacles to be overcome.

Soumaïla Cissé's wife was recently received here in Bamako by the Malian head of state and his wife. "  Mali will do everything so that my brother Soumaïla returns to us quickly,  " declared President IBK on this occasion.

► Read also:  A call from forty African personalities for the release of Soumaïla Cissé

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