More than a hundred convicted or suspected jihadists were released in Mali over the weekend as part of talks between the Malian authorities and a coalition of jihadist groups who are believed to be holding the last French hostage Sophie Pétronin.

This could be part of the discussions but his son says he is "very careful".

DECRYPTION

This is still only a hope, but behind the ongoing negotiations between the Malian junta and the coalition of terrorist groups GSIM (Support Group for Islam and Muslims) linked to Al-Qaeda, the fate of the French hostage Sophie Pétronin could be playing itself out.

Over the weekend, the Malian authorities carried out a real amnesty, releasing 180 jihadist prisoners, condemned or suspected, including 70 on Saturday and 110 on Sunday.

Kidnapped on December 24, 2016 in the city of Gao, the 75-year-old humanitarian, who is the last French hostage in the world, is believed to be held by one of the groups participating in talks with the Malian authorities.

His son says he is "very careful"

Sophie Pétronin could therefore be included in these exchange agreements.

But his son, Sébastien Chadaud, wanted to be "very cautious" in front of the few elements available and in order not to hinder the efforts in progress "if there were really attempts".

"It is too early to rejoice, we have already experienced moments like this for four years," he insisted.

Caution is required on the French side, especially as Bamako seeks above all to free another hostage, well known in Mali but much less in France.

This is Soumaïla Cissé, former leader of the country's parliamentary opposition, second on three occasions in the presidential election, who was kidnapped by the jihadists on March 25 while he was campaigning for a deputy seat in the Timbuktu region.

This kidnapping had a huge impact in Mali and was one of the triggers of the vast protest movement which led to the fall of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in August.

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One last appearance in mid-June 2018

"As part of negotiations to obtain the release of Soumaïla Cissé and Sophie Pétronin, more than a hundred jihadist prisoners were released this weekend on Malian territory," said a mediation official, under cover. of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

For the putschists, the release of Soumaïla Cissé would be an additional element of political stabilization for the country.

Sophie Pétronin appeared in videos released in 2017 and 2018 by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), linked to Al-Qaeda.

The last where we see her, published in mid-June 2018, shows her very tired, her face emaciated, calling on French President Emmanuel Macron.