Five Malian civilians were kidnapped by suspected jihadists on the night of Wednesday 20 to Thursday 21 October in the region of Sikasso (south), security officials and an elected official told AFP on Thursday.
To read also In Mali, "Wagner against Sisyphus"
"
Five Malian nationals working for a local construction company were kidnapped by terrorists riding motorcycles in Blendio (a locality about 100 km north-west of Sikasso) on the night of Wednesday to Thursday,
" said a security official. "
Equipment from the Malian road construction company was also burned
" by the attackers, another security official said.
“
Shortly before midnight, the jihadists (between 11 am and 5 pm) kidnapped five civilians who worked for a Malian road construction company based in Blendio,
” said an elected representative from the region. All sources spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "
They burned a tank and a truck belonging to the local company which is building a bridge
" to open up the region, "
before leaving with five company employees, including a driver and a guard,
" he added.
Kidnappings, one of the aspects of the violence in which Mali has been plunged since 2012, are frequent in Mali, whether they are Malian citizens, including local officials, or foreigners when the opportunity arises. present.
They are perpetrated to obtain ransom, for retaliation or to be the subject of bargaining.
They are less common in the south, more preserved by violence than the north or the center.
Read also Mali: more than 50 civilians killed by suspected jihadists
Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga recently said in
Jeune Afrique
that the authorities were negotiating with the jihadists for the release of the captives.