Mali: no progress on the case of Soumaïla Cissé six months after his kidnapping

Leader of the Malian opposition, Soumaïla Cissé was kidnapped six months ago on March 25, 2020 (illustrative image) MICHELE CATTANI / AFP

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4 min

On March 25, 2020, Soumaïla Cissé was kidnapped by armed men in the region of Timbuktu, in his stronghold near Niafunké, in the midst of the legislative campaign.

Six months later, only one proof of life was authenticated: a letter written more than a month ago by the president of the URD party and then sent to his relatives.

The ousted president IBK had promised his return soon in the midst of the Malian political crisis.

But since then, IBK has been removed by the military.

And since the junta came to power, there has been no further progress.

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With our correspondent in Bamako,

Coralie Pierret

We are in total desolation 

", indignant Ibrahima Ndiaye, an executive of Soumaïla Cissé's party.

Because

her family has been waiting for answers for

six months

.

His state of health worries.

And his relatives wonder if he has access to his medication.

Meanwhile, the negotiations are slipping.

Since the disappearance of Soumaïla Cissé, several personalities seem to have been involved in the discussions, including Imam Dicko, confirm several sources.

Were they disturbed by

the coming to power of the junta

 ?

One thing is certain: "

 nothing has changed,

 " continues Ibrahima Ndiaye.

There would be blockages in particular around the prisoners claimed by the kidnappers.

They want in exchange the release of detainees imprisoned elsewhere than in Mali in the sub-region, assure several political sources.

At the outset, the then Foreign Minister Tiébilié Dramé mentioned Hamadou Kouffa's katiba Macina.

For Moctar Sy, spokesperson for the collective that works for the release of Soumaila Cissé, " 

he would be hostage to a group loyal to Iyad Ag Ghali

 " the boss of Ansar Dine and GSIM, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims.

With the current situation, the question of Soumaïla Cissé has fallen into oblivion.

We do not see any action, no communication for the release of Soumaïla Cissé.

No one knows what is going on today.

We made a statement to the CNSP which went unanswered.

We have not had any contact.

Moctar Sy, president of the support collective for Soumaïla Cissé

Coralie Pierret

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