Ivory Coast is embroiled in a diplomatic dispute with Mali over the continued detention of 46 of its soldiers since July.
Ivory Coast will be gradually withdrawing its military contingent from the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) after the continued detention of 46 Ivorian soldiers who have been accused of being mercenaries.
The announcement was made in a letter, which was sent to the UN secretary-general last week and circulated on Tuesday.
In the letter to the UN, Ivory Coast officials said they would not replace their personnel in MINUSMA when the current group rotates out in August. Ivory Coast had 857 personnel serving in Mali as of June.
Negotiations have stalled over the release of the Ivorian soldiers, who were arrested at the Bamako airport on arrival in July. Three female soldiers have been released, but the others remain in Malian custody....
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