Six Senegalese truck drivers, who were kidnapped on Thursday while transporting goods to western Mali, have been released late Friday night, confirmed Senegalese government spokesman Mustapha Njeck Sari.
The abduction occurred in the regions of Kayes and Nioro, located on the border with Senegal and Mauritania, amid a blockade imposed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims to prevent fuel from entering Senegal.
Gora Khoma, the head of the Senegalese Road Transport Employers’ Union, stated to AFP, “Our representatives informed us of the drivers’ release last night.” Sari emphasized the need for caution, adding that the government currently lacks conclusive evidence regarding the details of the incident.
In an official statement released on Saturday, the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that no reliable information is available to corroborate the kidnapping or identify potential perpetrators.
Mali has been facing a continuous security crisis since 2012, with activities from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, alongside local criminal organizations. Following the military coups in 2020 and 2021, Bamako has distanced itself from France while expanding its relationships with Turkey and Russia.
