ECOWAS had given Mali until January 1 to release the 46 Ivorian soldiers, accused by Bamako of being mercenaries. But the date has now passed and the 46 soldiers, who were sentenced to 20 years in prison, have not been released. However, ECOWAS does not intend to sanction Mali.
With our correspondent in the region, Serge Daniel
Diplomats from the sub-regional institution contacted by RFI are unanimous, in the immediate future, there will be no sanction from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against Mali.
The Bamako authorities, to try the 46 soldiers, convened a special Assize Court before the end of the ECOWAS ultimatum when they could wait several more months, explains one of our interlocutors. A sign that they nevertheless lent an attentive ear to the message of the sub-regional organization.
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Then, relations between Mali and Côte d’Ivoire have, in the meantime, improved significantly. with the memorandum recently signed by the two governments. This is therefore not the time to create new tensions, adds another source familiar with the matter.
All eyes are now on Koulouba, seat of the presidential palace in Bamako, where a possible presidential pardon could be decided. According to our information, Togo, the mediating country in the case, is multiplying initiatives for a quick and happy outcome.
For their part, in order not to slow down the process which could lead to a presidential pardon, at the end of the trial, the defense lawyers filed a non-appeal notice at the Court of Appeal to certify that they renounce to exercise any means of recourse.