Ivorian Defense Minister, Téné Birahima Ouattara, traveled to Bamako on Thursday to discuss with Malian authorities ways to secure the release of the 46 Ivorian soldiers arrested last July. 

The minister was received by the transitional president, Assimi Goïta. He was accompanied by Togolese Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, whose country plays a mediation role in this matter that has strained relations between Abidjan and Bamako.

Malian Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, stated on national television that constant dialogue was ongoing to secure the release of the soldiers.

ECOWAS has demanded their release before January 1, 2023, under the threat of severe sanctions.

“On behalf of President Faure Gnassingbé, we congratulate Mali and Côte d’Ivoire for the commitments made,” Robert Dussey tweeted in the evening.

No details were provided regarding these ‘commitments.’