Florence Parly (Archives) -

Mathieu Pattier / SIPA

France was not involved in the negotiations led by Bamako to obtain the release of four hostages, including the Frenchwoman Sophie Pétronin and the Malian politician Soumaïla Cissé, in exchange for the release of prisoners, the Minister of the Armed Forces confirmed on Tuesday. Florence Parly.

"We had the opportunity to thank the Malian authorities who are at the origin of this release and who planned and conducted the operation," said Florence Parly during a hearing before the Senate Defense Committee.

"This negotiation was led by Mali"

"These negotiations were led by Mali and the decision to release jihadists in particular belongs to the Malian authorities alone, who deemed that this was essential to obtain the release of Soumaïla Cissé", insisted the French minister.

On the side of France, of which 5,100 soldiers are deployed in the Sahel as part of Operation Barkhane, "our determination is intact to continue the fight against jihadism and terrorism in the region," said Florence Parly.

"There is no ambiguity on this side and our Malian and Sahelian partners know it".

Negotiations opened several months ago

“What we knew was that the Malian authorities were very determined to obtain the release of Soumaïla Cissé.

Negotiations for his release were opened several months ago by the Malian authorities at the time (under the presidency of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, overthrown by a coup d'état in August) and the new Malian authorities showed their determination. to make them succeed ”, she detailed.

“We learned on Sunday evening October 4 that a transfer of prisoners to Tessalit (north-eastern Mali) had started, and we noted that these negotiations had come to an end and had allowed the release not only of Soumaïla Cissé but also our compatriot Sophie Pétronin ”, 75, kidnapped on December 24, 2016 in Gao (northern Mali), concluded the minister.

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