ECOWAS sanctions targeting Mali cause political turmoil in Côte d'Ivoire

Laurent Gbagbo's new Pan-Africanist party “finds the retaliatory measures taken by ECOWAS against the Malian people to be excessive and impertinent” (illustrative image) © AP - Diomande Ble Blonde

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The sanctions decreed by ECOWAS against the Malian junta are causing political turmoil in Côte d'Ivoire.

A few hours after the announcement of this embargo, after having protested and recalled its ambassadors in the region, Mali released a former Soroist deputy whose extradition was requested by the Ivorian justice.

Moreover, Laurent Gbagbo's Party has stepped up to denounce these sanctions.

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With our correspondent in Abidjan

,

Laurent Gbagbo's new pan-Africanist party "

".

In a press release signed by its spokesperson Justin Koné Katinan, the PPA-CI also qualifies "

" what it considers "

".

A sign that relations were strained Sunday evening between Mali and its neighbors, the junta recalled its ambassadors in the region.

And Monday in Bamako,

, better known by his nickname Ben Souk was suddenly released, on the eve of a hearing with a judge.

Ben Souk was arrested on August 10 and his extradition requested by Côte d'Ivoire.

Ben Souk was also sentenced to 20 years in prison in absentia in June for "undermining the authority of the State" and "conspiracy".

Case which

in his absence to life imprisonment.

Guillaume Soro welcomed the release of his political companion in a statement in which "

" without however commenting on the sanctions.

Finally another Ivorian voice was indignant against the decision of the ECOWAS.

That of Alpha Blondy who encouraged the heads of state of the region to "

".

"

" pleaded the reggae star in a video.

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• Mali

• Ivory Coast