Cote d' Ivoire Soldiers Charged as Mercenaries In Mali

Soldiers from Cote d'Ivoire who were reportedly deployed as reinforcements to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, were held in custody for over a month, accused of being mercenaries.

The Ivorian government says they were unfairly detained, and that their role was well-known to Mali officials, who said the soldiers did not have the supporting documents indicating the reasons for their presence in the country. Cote d'Ivoire has been negotiating with the Mali junta for their release, denying the accusations. Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé is acting as a mediator between the two states.

As part of the agreement, Mali is reportedly calling on Cote d'Ivoire to hand over Mali citizens arrested there. However, Abidjan authorities have refused to acknowledge responsibility, and will not hand over wanted persons. According to judicial sources, the charges against the 49 Ivorians include attempting to undermine state security.

The UN's peacekeeping mission in Mali had earlier acknowledged there were "dysfunctions" that preceded a row with the Mali authorities, sparked by the arrival of Ivorian troops at Bamako airport in early August 2022.