Armed groups in Mali have released former opposition leader Soumaila Cisse, a French aid worker who has been detained for four years and two Italian hostages. The Malian government is said to have released about a hundred jihadists in return.
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The Malian authorities announced on Thursday evening that Sophie Pétronin was free again. The now 75-year-old French was kidnapped in 2016 by jihadists active in the north of the African country.
Soumaïla Cissé, former leader of the opposition and three runner-up in presidential elections, was kidnapped on March 25 while campaigning in an area where many Al-Qaeda-affiliated rebels are active. In addition, two Italian hostages are also free.
Details about the circumstances of the release have not been officially disclosed. But Monday it was already leaked that there are more than 100 jihadist rebels in the context of the negotiations released.
Mali has been facing a security crisis since 2012. Much of Mali is under the control of armed groups. In August, a military coup put an end to President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The new Malian president, Bah N’Daw, presented a new prime minister just over a week ago.
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