The leader of the opposition in Mali, Soumaïla Cissé, was released on Thursday, October 8.
As part of unprecedented negotiations, more than a hundred jihadist prisoners were released last weekend on Malian territory.
Kidnapped in the middle of an election campaign
Soumaïla Cissé, former leader of the parliamentary opposition and second three times in the presidential election, was kidnapped on March 25, while he was campaigning for the legislative elections in his electoral stronghold of Niafounké, in the region of Timbuktu, in north-western Mali.
He was traveling with a delegation of a dozen people in two 4x4s when the convoy was attacked by armed men.
Soumaïla Cissé's bodyguard had been killed and two other members of his entourage injured.
Although detained, he had been elected in the first round of legislative elections.
Mali has seen a number of kidnappings since the start of the serious security crisis it has been going through since 2012, whether they are Malians or foreigners whom we have not heard from.
Depending on the case, the kidnappings have different motivations.
With Soumaïla Cissé, aged 70, this is the first time that an abduction has affected a figure of such stature.
He was secretary general of the presidency, several times minister and unsuccessful candidate in the second round of the presidential election in 2018 again.
He held senior positions at the West African Economic and Monetary Union (Uemoa).
The summary of the week
France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 application
google-play-badge_FR