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In The Gambia, seven soldiers from the West African mission in The Gambia were released on Monday, February 14, 2022, at midday by Casamance rebels. They were held hostage following a clash that occurred on January 24.
The very sober ceremony took place in the absence by Salif Sadio, the head of the MFDC. All seven servicemen appeared healthy, safe and sound. They arrived hands free, surrounded by rebels. Major absentees from this ceremony: the rebel leader therefore, but also the authorities of Dakar and Banjul who did not send a representative.
The speeches were preceded by a rather administrative episode: without a word, each soldier signed a paper attesting to his release. Document countersigned by the Nigerian Claude Kondor, who represents ECOWAS. A small moment of tension occurred when the rebels decided for a time to retain objects belonging to the military. Their watches, their helmets and their bulletproof vests, in particular.
The handover of Ecomig prisoners took place in a rural area, near the border with Senegal. Some personalities have made the trip, through winding tracks in the middle of the forest. Alongside the ECOWAS representative are two members of the ICRC, as well as a leader of the Sant’Egidio community, a community that acted as a mediator to promote this release. This delegation thanked Salif Sadio for this “ humanitarian gesture ».
For his part, last week, the rebel leader had reiterated, on our antenna, his desire to accelerate discussions around peace in Casamance.
Behind-the-scenes negotiations
On the Gambian side, the day following the clash of January 24, the authorities created a commission of inquiry to shed light on this episode, but the main discussions took place in complete discretion, under the aegis of the Sant’Egidio Community. , a neutral interlocutor in whom each party has trusted, for ten years now, since this community is already arbitrating peace talks in Casamance.
Nothing has filtered through on the nature of the discussions, nor even on the conditions for the release of the prisoners. Last week, Salif Sadio hinted that he was willing to release the seven ECOWAS soldiers: “ If the conditions are met, they are immediately released ».
Journalists were even able to film the hostages, as proof of life.
This Monday, February 14, Salif Sadio released the 7 prisoners ” without condition “, to restore a ” trust feeling with Dakar, indicates a good source.
Negotiations oblige, Dakar has so far shown discretion on the subject. In a statement on January 31, the General Staff had simply specified that the seven soldiers held hostage were ” all alive and well ».
