The release of the Ivorian soldiers has revived relations between Abidjan and Bamako. Alassane Ouattara indicates that he will "resume normal relations" with Mali.
The outcome is happy, after a soap opera that included many episodes. After having arrested 46 Ivorian soldiers, accused of being mercenaries, last July, Bamako alienated Abidjan. The women's release had not calmed down Alassane Ouattara, who had sent a delegation there and Togo had decided to mediate in this sensitive affair. In December began a expedited trial, and the soldiers were then given heavy sentences. All of Africa expected a presidential pardon, while the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had set an ultimatum demanding the release of Ivorian soldiers before the start of 2023.
With a little delay, Assimi Goïta kept his promise. All the soldiers were released after the intervention of the President of the Transition. “Diplomacy paid off,” said Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. But the victory is indeed Malian: Bamako let justice do its job before deigning to make a gesture towards Côte d'Ivoire. Everything was smoothly conducted on the side of Mali, which could not have come out of the crisis better. Especially since Abidjan now has a debt to Bamako.
The Malian victory
"Now that this crisis is behind us, we will be able to resume normal relations with the brother country of Mali, which needs us and which we also need", simply indicated the Ivorian president. ECOWAS is also obliged to admit that the Malian military junta cooperated. Finally, Togo is also one of the big winners of this happy exit from the crisis, he who worked behind the scenes to open the dialogue between Goïta and Ouattara.
The presidential pardon granted by the Malian head of state makes us forget the reasons for the estrangement. Because last summer, the Bamako authorities had estimated that the arrested soldiers were present on its soil "without authorization or mission order". Côte d'Ivoire assured that it was national support elements (NSE) of the Minusma.
Abidjan had finally affirmed that there had been “shortcomings” and “administrative dysfunctions” on his part. Suffice to say that Mali was therefore within its rights by letting justice do its job.