Relations between Mali and the West African regional bloc, Ecowas, have been strained since the military staged a coup, overthrowing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020. Ivory Coast’s president has welcomed home 46 soldiers who were detained in Mali, saying he hopes ties between the two countries can now return to normal. The Ivorian soldiers were pardoned by Mali’s junta leader Assimi Goïta , a court had sentenced them to 20 years in prison for undermining state security. What is your comment on the release of Ivory Coast soldiers?

