Politics

Mali accused of ‘hostage taking’ after authorities refused release of detained 46 Ivorian soldiers

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2022

The back and forth regarding the 49 Ivorian soldiers arrested by Mali has continued with Ivory Coast accusing Bamako of “hostage-taking”.

The accusation comes after Malian authorities laid out conditions for the release of the detained soldiers who have been held in Mali for two months.

Three female soldiers among the 49 were released last week.

Authorities in Bamako arrested 49 soldiers from Ivory Coast in July and labelled them “mercenaries”, claiming that the soldiers came to Mali to work for a contracting company of the United Nations mission.

Ivory Coast’s Chief of Staff, General Lassina Doumbia August, revealed that “negotiations are continuing” for the release of 49 Ivorian soldiers detained since July 10 in Mali.

Mali’s military ruler, colonel Assimi Goïta last Friday mentioned the necessary “compensation” for the advancement of the talks. “When Ivory Coast, asks for the release of its soldiers, (it) continues to serve as a political asylum for certain Malian personalities subject to international arrest warrants”, Goïta said.

A source close to the Ivorian presidency told newsmen on Sunday, that “it’s a hostage-taking that will not remain without consequences.” The source added that Ivory Coast would continue to seek a solution through “diplomatic channels”.

The diplomatic up brouhaha is expected to be a point of discussion at the extraordinary summit of the Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is to be held next week in New York.

Related Topics:Featured Ivory Coast Mali

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Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.