Return of 46 soldiers signals resolution of a bitter diplomatic standoff between the Ivory Coast and Mali.

Return of 46 soldiers signals resolution of a bitter diplomatic standoff between the Ivory Coast and Mali.
The mass pardoning comes one week after Mali sentenced 46 of the jailed Ivorian soldiers to 20 years in prison.
The move comes after recent incidents of armed group activity in the country’s north, near the border with Burkina Faso.
A recap of top issues in West Africa in 2022, including heated political campaigns and armed groups gaining ground.
Arrest of the Ivorian soldiers in Mali’s capital in July sparked a diplomatic spat between the West African neighbours.
The West African country has been battling rebel groups, some linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL, in recent years.
The seven children were killed while returning from celebrations of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha late on July 10.
The Anglophone pivot comes on the back of successive coups in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso to dump pro-French leaders.
In May, eight soldiers were killed and 13 others wounded at a security outpost in the northernmost region of Savanna.
Security experts have warned that armed groups across the Sahel could spread operations to coastal states like Togo.
Two coups in two years have precipitated a political crisis in Mali, where armed groups are also looking to grab power.
The West African country’s government has a long history of disputes with the teachers union.
The West African country will be the first landing of the ‘Equiano’ cable, which will run from Portugal to South Africa.
Fears grow that violence that has crippled countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger will spill over further south.