The 46 Ivorian soldiers detained since 10 July and described as mercenaries by Mali have been sentenced to 20 years in prison. The three women of the group released in September were sentenced to death in absentia. This was at the end of a trial held at the Bamako Assize Court on Friday 30 December 2022.
20 years’ imprisonment and a two million fine for “attacking and plotting against the government”, “undermining the external security of the State”, “possession, carrying and transporting weapons and munitions of war or defence (…) with the aim of disturbing public order and through intimidation or terror”. This is the verdict of the Malian justice system against the 46 Ivorian soldiers detained in Bamako. As for the three soldiers released last September, the Bamako court also sentenced them, in absentia, to the death penalty, as well as to a fine of 10 million euros.
However, about ten days ago, the authorities of both countries held a meeting in Bamako in a “fraternal” spirit and ended up signing a memorandum that would serve as a basis for the release of the 46 soldiers.
It should be recalled that this trial takes place in a particular context. Indeed, ECOWAS had warned the Malian authorities to release the 46 soldiers before 1 January 2023, on pain of further sanctions.
