Pardoned Ivorian soldiers arrive home after six months in Malian captivity

Ivory Coast soldiers arrive home after months in Malian captivity

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara says normal relations with Mali should resume after the return of 46 soldiers

Pardoned Ivorian soldiers home after Malian captivity

Families of 46 Ivorian soldiers recently pardoned by Mali's junta welcomed them home with great excitement as they arrived at Ivory Coast's Abidjan airport on Saturday (January 7) after around six months in captivity.

Pardoned Ivorian soldiers home after Malian captivity

Families of 46 Ivorian soldiers recently pardoned by Mali's junta welcomed them home with great excitement as they arrived at Ivory Coast's Abidjan airport on Saturday (January 7) after around six months in captivity.

Pardoned Ivorian soldiers arrive home after six months in Malian captivity

Forty-six Ivorian soldiers recently pardoned by Mali's junta flew home to Ivory Coast's Abidjan airport on Saturday after around six months in captivity, state television showed.

Pardoned Ivorian soldiers arrive home after months in Malian detention

Forty-six Ivorian soldiers detained in Mali since July arrived home late Saturday, according to an AFP reporter at the airport, a day after they were pardoned by the neighbouring country's junta.

Pardoned Ivorian soldiers arrive home after six months in Mali captivity

Each soldier held a small Ivorian flag and smiled as he shook hands with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara who was waiting to greet the 46 soldiers at Abidjan airport.