The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday assured that they would not impose any sanctions against Mali in the immediate future for detaining 46 Ivorian soldiers, adding that it will give time to Togo to mediate in the diplomatic spat, reported The African News.
Malian authorities arrested the soldiers from the Ivory Coast, accusing them of being mercenaries, after they arrived at Bamako airport on 10 July to provide backup security for a United Nations peacekeeping mission.
The move resulted in diplomatic tensions between Bamako and Abidjan. ECOWAS gave Mali a Janury 1 deadline to free the troops or face sanctions. Meanwhile, last month, a Malian court sentenced the troops to 20 years of imprisonment. Of the 49 soldiers who were initially arrested, three women were freed, however, the court sentenced them to death in absentia in its December 30 ruling.
In a statement last month, Mali’s public prosecutor Ladji Sara said the soldiers were found guilty of an attack and conspiracy against the government and seeking to undermine state security,
On Wednesday, Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the current head of ECOWAS, told reporters that there will be no immediate sanctions against Mali.
“We have given time for Togolese mediators to do their job, in order to resolve the situation. It’s just a matter of common sense,” the ECOWAS head said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Malian presidency confirmed that Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe visited Bamako.
An official from the Malian presidency told AFP that Gnassingbe had called for a presidential pardon for the troops during his meeting with Malian coup leader Assimi Goita.
In his New Year’s address to the nation, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara promised that the imprisoned soldiers “will soon return to Ivorian soil”.
After a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Ivorian government spokesman Amadou Coulibaly said the people must trust the head of state. He said the government has chosen a diplomatic way of negotiation.
It remains to be seen if the Malian ruling junta opts for a presidential pardon for the Ivorian soldiers as requested by the ECOWAS.
