The 49 Ivorian soldiers suspected of being "mercenaries" and detained in Mali since July, obtained the presidential pardon, Friday January 6, by the head of the Malian junta, Assimi Goïta, indicated a spokesperson for the government.
"Colonel Assimi Goita (...) has granted a pardon with full remission of sentences to the 49 Ivorians sentenced by the Malian courts", indicates an official press release.
These Ivorian soldiers had been arrested in Mali, described as "mercenaries", then charged in mid-August with "attempt to undermine the external security of the State" and imprisoned.
In detail, 46 soldiers had been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment on December 30, while the three female soldiers released in mid-September had been sentenced to death in absentia.
On January 4, the Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbé, responsible for easing tensions in this affair, arrived in Bamako for a visit of a few hours.
A "fraternal" spirit
Since July 10, Côte d'Ivoire has been demanding the release of its soldiers, categorically denying that they were or are "mercenaries", claiming that they were on a mission for the UN, within the framework of operations of logistical support for the United Nations Mission in Mali (Minusma).
On December 22, a visit to Bamako by an official Ivorian delegation in the presence of the Togolese Foreign Minister took place in a "fraternal" spirit.
It ended with the signing of a memorandum, the Ivorian Defense Minister, Téné Birahima Ouattara, brother of the Head of State, stressing that the case was "in the process of being resolved".
With AFP
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app