Published on: 22/12/2022 – 11:57
An Ivorian delegation landed in Bamako this Thursday, December 22, to meet with the Malian authorities, in particular with the President of the Malian Transition, Colonel Assimi Goïta, and to discuss the case of the 46 Ivorian soldiers detained in the country. It will again be under Togolese mediation.
With our correspondent in the region, Serge Daniel
It is the Minister of State for Defence, Téné Binahima Ouattara, who is leading the Ivorian delegation. It also includes at least one other Ivory Coast minister and a close associate of the President, Alassane Ouattara.
Meeting with Assimi Goïta
According to witnesses, the Ivorian delegation was welcomed in a good atmosphere at Bamako airport by the Malian Defense Minister, Colonel Sadio Camara, and his Foreign Affairs counterpart. Then towards Koulouba, seat of the Presidential Palace on the heights of Bamako. But on the street, the Ivorian delegation branched off to go to the gendarmerie. There, in Bamako, the 46 Ivorian soldiers are being held. The Malian party wanted to make an important gesture by allowing their hosts to visit their soldiers who have been detained for five months.
The Ivorian officials were then received by the President of the Transition, Colonel Assimi Goïta. Nothing has filtered interviews yet.
Robert Dussey, Togo’s Foreign MinisterShe is also in Bamako this Thursday. Togo mediates in the case of the 46 Ivorian soldiers. According to our information, the Togolese mediation could propose to the two parties to redraft a declaration of intent in the context of the release of the Ivorian soldiers.
But this visit allows Ivorian and Malian officials in particular to speak directly to each other to advance the file. A high-ranking official in Bamako acknowledges that this was missing.