West Africa

Prominent Malian politician Soumaila Cissé, who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in March, was released on Wednesday after Mali released over 100 alleged or convicted jihadists as part of negotiations to secure his release. Mali also released the prisoners in hopes of getting the release of abducted French aid worker Sophie Pétronin, who was kidnapped by the shooter in December 2016 in the northern city of Gao. "As part of the negotiations for the release of Soumaila Cisséand Sophie Pétronin, more than a hundred…

The Malian presidency on Thursday confirmed that French charity worker Sophie Pétronin, who was abducted in Mali and held hostage since December 2016, has been released. "The Presidency of the Republic confirms the release of Soumaïla Cissé and Mrs Sophie Pétronin. The former hostages are on their way to Bamako, "the Malian…

Two hostages, the French Sophie Pétronin and the Malian opposition leader Soumaïla Cissé, were released on Thursday, October 8, 2020. This release comes after the release of several dozen jihadists by the Malian authorities. The last French hostage still held in the world, Sophie Pétronin, as well as Soumaïla Cissé, a major Malian politician who until then is believed to be in the hands of jihadists, have been released, the Malian presidency announced on social networks on Thursday. The Presidency of the Republic…

Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian heard from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly on Wednesday and reacted to Alassane Ouattara's candidacy before also giving his opinion on the situation in Cameroon. Communist Deputy Jean-Paul Lecoq first asked the Foreign Minister what France's position was on Alassane Ouattara's candidacy. Response from Jean-Yves Le Drian: “Me, I am not responsible for assessing the new constitution for Côte d'Ivoire. That would really be interference. And you know very well, Mr Lecoq,…

This decision was taken in late September by the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons, which regulates asylum applications in France, and was published on Tuesday. According to the President of Ofpra, it is motivated by "the situation of public and political freedoms in this country". The organization believes that Benin no longer meets the definition of these "safe…

Bissau-Guinea President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on Wednesday reacted to the unilateral decision of the Conakry authorities to close the borders with Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. Ten days before the presidential election on 18 October 2020, Guinea is therefore closing its borders without the reason why this closure is officially known.…

Words that could lead to human rights violations, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Guinean campaign has been marked by tensions, with outgoing President Alpha Condé amending the constitution to allow him to run for a third term. In a statement, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, called on politicians, especially candidates for election, to refrain from nurturing ethnic divisions. She notes that calls for affiliation with society are increasingly widespread and…

The Economic Community of West African States has taken note of the appointment of some of the transitional bodies in Mali. The sub-regional organization decided to lift the economic and trade sanctions that weighed on the country. A decision hailed in the capital's markets. as reported from Bamako, The stalls and stalls in the Badalabougou market are not very full. Not because customers flocked to the products, but because merchants still suffer from a lack of supply due to sanctions issued by the Economic Community…

A dozen political and military figures arrested during the Mali coup have been released, including former Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, the transitional authorities said. The new army chief Assimi Goita issued an official statement late Wednesday, saying "the political and military personalities arrested on August 18 have been released". However, they will "remain at the disposal of the court if necessary". Former National Assembly speaker Moussa Timbine was among those released, as were eight generals. The rebels…

A whale stranded on Lomé beach for the second time in a week, causing crowds on the beach early Wednesday morning. as reported from Lomé, It was on the beach in front of the German embassy that whales were found early Wednesday morning. The whale, which had apparently died several days earlier, had completely rotted and stank, according to the maritime prefect, Lieutenant Commander Nayo Takougnadi. Several curious people have gathered on the beach and are wondering why whales are stranded these days on Togolese…