Mali Frees French Diplomat, 82 Soldiers Released in Algeria-Mediated Deal

Mali pardoned a French embassy official alongside the August 14 release of 82 soldiers seized by al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and Tuareg-led FLA separatists during April attacks. Algeria brokered the deal. Mali expelled French forces for Russian paramilitaries, yet linking FLA captives to Mali-France bilateral issues signals the negotiation ran on more than one track.