Mali warns against "any instrumentalization of ECOWAS"

As usual, it is through a statement read on national television that the transitional government in Mali responded in Abidjan, in the case of the 46 soldiers detained since July 10th.

Bamako, categorically rejects the idea of ​​appealing to ECOWAS in a purely judicial and bilateral case and also warns against any instrumentalization of this community institution by the Ivorian authorities to avoid their responsibility.

Only the mediation initiated by Togo is the only framework for settling the case, the statement said.

While the Ivorian authorities accuse Bamako of having taken its soldiers hostage, the Malian transition insists on the fact that its soldiers had not been recognized by MINUSMA as part of the national support elements.

Moreover, Berlin had admitted to having no contractual link with the soldiers arrested at Modibo Kéita airport. For the Malian authorities, the Ivorian government is doing an about-face after having recognized shortcomings and misunderstandings in this case.

The military in power are careful not to explicitly condition the release of Ivorian soldiers on the extradition of Malian personalities, in the press release on Thursday. Colonel Goïta only expressed "the need to consider the situation of certain Malians subject to international arrest warrants", she said.