Mali 'open for talks' over detained Ivorian troops
Ivory Coast has demanded the immediate release of its soldiers, whom it claims were wrongfully detained but whom Mali claimed it viewed as mercenaries.
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
The 49 Ivorian soldiers who were detained at the airport in Bamako earlier this month are a subject that the military ruler of Mali has declared he is willing to discuss through negotiation.
To maintain good ties between Mali and the Ivory Coast, Col. Assimi Gota stated that he was ready to cooperate to settle the conflict, including through diplomatic channels.
This, he claimed, will strictly adhere to Mali's sovereignty.
Col. Gota requested Togo to lead a mission between the two nations to assist resolve the problem, according to an official statement on Monday.
It happened as he was conversing with the Togolese foreign affairs minister, Robert Dussey, about matters of mutual interest.
He lauded Togo's assistance and President Faure Gnassingbé's dedication to Mali's democratic transition.
Ivory Coast has demanded the immediate release of its soldiers, whom it claims were wrongfully detained but whom Mali claimed it viewed as mercenaries.
According to a mutually agreed-upon contract, Ivory Coast claimed its soldiers were in Mali to support the UN operation, known as Minusma.
