Abidjan demands the "immediate" release of Ivorian soldiers detained in Mali
Ivorian soldiers in Bouaké, January 13, 2017. (Illustrative image) Sia KAMBOU / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Abidjan expresses its indignation and demands the release “
without delay
” of the 46 soldiers detained in Mali for two months.
In a statement read this Wednesday afternoon in front of the media, the Ivorian authorities officially denounce what they consider to be "
a hostage-taking
".
Indeed, the Malian authorities are demanding the extradition of Malian political leaders established in Côte d'Ivoire, in "
compensation
" for the release of the Ivorian soldiers.
A request badly perceived by the authorities of Abidjan, who held a National Security Council this Wednesday morning.
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With our correspondent in Abidjan,
Bineta Diagne
In this statement, the authorities reiterate their version of the facts: the 49 soldiers sent to Mali
are not mercenaries
, they belong to the 8th detachment of Minusma.
The Ivorian authorities regret the "
misunderstandings and shortcomings
" which led to their arrest.
►
To
read also: Ivorian soldiers detained in Mali: Abidjan denounces a "taking of hostages"
The National Security Council also denounces the conditions set by Bamako to release the 46 soldiers still in detention: Abidjan criticizes "
unacceptable blackmail
", and recalls that Côte d'Ivoire is a country "
attached to peace, to stability and the rule of law in the sub-region.
»
Abidjan requests the holding of an extraordinary meeting of ECOWAS.
Several heads of state have so far been involved, the statement recalls, such as the Togolese Faure Gnassingbé and the Senegalese Macky Sall.
The Ivorian authorities are counting
on the diplomatic channel
to resolve this crisis.
In view of the latest developments, which are likely to undermine peace and security in the sub-region, the President of the Republic has instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to seize the ECOWAS Commission with a view to holding as soon as possible of an extraordinary meeting of Heads of State and Government to examine the crisis between Côte d'Ivoire and Mali.
Fidèle Sarassoro, the executive secretary of the National Security Council
Bineta Diagne
Finally, they urge the populations to "
calm and restraint
".
►
To read also: Ivorian soldiers detained in Mali: new turning point in the crisis between Bamako and Abidjan
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