Tuareg Rebels Free Ten Malian Soldiers

Ten of the thirty soldiers captured last August by Tuareg rebels operating along the Malian- Algerian border were released on Sunday, thanks to Algerian mediation, the Malian government disclosed on the same day.

“The Malian government is pleased to announce that about ten soldiers have been handed over today to the Algerian Armed Forces” the government said in a statement.

After paying a glowing tribute to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for “his personal involvement” in the release of the hostages, the Malian government has reiterated “its resolve” to strengthen its “brotherly and neighbourly relations” with Algeria.

The government statement however did not give any detail on the venue of the release or on the number of Malian soldiers still held by the armed group of Ibrahim Ag Bahanga.

The latter became famous last August with the abductions of civilian and military staff in Tedjerer and Tinzaouatène, in the north-east of the country.

Nine of the hostages were later released by the rebels while eight others were freed following a Malian army attack.

Source African Press Agency

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