President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria is committed to promoting peace and harmony among ECOWAS countries by ensuring the release of the remaining 46 Ivorian soldiers held in Mali.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Femi Adesina on Wednesday, in Abuja, titled, ‘Mali Updates: ECOWAS Special Envoy, Goodluck Jonathan, briefs President Buhari.’

‘’About 49 Ivorian soldiers had been detained in Mali for “unlawful entry.”

President Buhari who spoke after receiving updates from Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on the conflict between Mali and Cote d’Ivoire over the latter’s soldiers who have been detained since July 2022, pledged an initiative from Nigeria towards an immediate resolution of the Diplomatic deadlock.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, September 4th, three females in the team  were released, leaving 46 in custody and the months-long issue has strained Diplomatic Relations between the two West African States.

Cote d’Ivoire on their part condemned the act as “hostage taking” and said it may take action, prompting the intervention of ECOWAS leaders, as Advocated by the Special Envoy, Ex-President Jonathan.