AA / Bamako / Amarana Maiga
Mali deplored on Thursday the seizure of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by Côte d’Ivoire with a view to achieving the release of 46 Ivorian soldiers arrested in Mali. declared Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga spokesperson for the Government, affirming that the Government is in no way concerned by this procedure before the community body.
The Malian Government reminds ECOWAS “that the case of the 49 Ivorian mercenaries is purely bilateral judicial” before warning the sub-regional organization against any instrumentalization by the Ivorian authorities to avoid their responsibility vis-à-vis the mali.
Indeed, the Ivorian Head of State, Alassane Ouattara, seized the ECOWAS Commission, for an extraordinary meeting, with a view to achieving the release of the 46 Ivorian soldiers arrested in Mali as soon as possible.
By means of a press release, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga first underlined that “the Transitional Government followed with great concern and deep amazement the press release of the National Security Council of Côte d’Ivoire, held on September 14 2022, concerning the 49 Ivorian soldiers, arrested at Bamako International Airport on July 10, 2022 and against whom the Malian courts have opened a judicial investigation procedure for serious facts affecting, among other things, national security and the external security of the State”.
The Transitional Government recalled “the illegal conditions under which these foreign forces, including some thirty special forces, arrived in Mali in possession of weapons and munitions of war, without a mission order or authorisation, while concealing the identities and their real military professions as well as the precise purpose of their presence on Malian soil”.
In addition, he said, “contrary to the declaration of the Ivorian authorities, MINUSMA officially informed of the status of these soldiers by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation had clearly indicated that these soldiers were not part of the national elements of support. Consequently, no legal basis can now justify their presence, even less their mission in Mali”.
“Similarly, the Director in charge of African Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, received in audience on Monday August 7, 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, had clearly indicated that no German Agency, let alone the Government, had no contractual relationship with the “Ivorian elements arrested at the airport”. Consequently, his country had nothing to do, neither near nor far, with the people arrested,” the spokesman said.
According to him, “the Ivorian Government had recognized its responsibility in its official declaration read by the Minister Director of Cabinet of the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Fidèle Sarassoro, on September 3, 2022 in Lomé in these terms: ”Côte d ‘Ivoire regrets that shortcomings and misunderstandings were at the origin of this highly regrettable event. Côte d’Ivoire, anxious to maintain good neighborly relations with Mali, undertakes to respect the procedures of the United Nations, as well as the new Malian rules and provisions enacted relating to the deployment of military forces in Mali”.
Maiga stresses that “such a serious reversal on the part of state authorities only aims to manipulate and hinder the manifestation of the truth”.
“The Government of the Transition emphasizes that it is exclusively in his capacity as President of the Superior Council of the Judiciary that Colonel Assimi Goïta, President of the Transition, indicated to the Ivorian side, the need to consider the situation of certain Malians , subject of international arrest warrants”.
“It is this responsible attitude of the President of the Transition which was unfortunately perceived by the Ivorian authorities as taking hostages”.
The Transitional Government, while reiterating its attachment to peace, security and centuries-old good neighborly relations, specifies that for the respect of its sovereignty, its national security, the vital interests of its people will not give in to any blackmail or intimidation .
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