France applauds the release of 44 soldiers in Malian conflict settlement

France has described as an ”encouraging sign” the recent release of 44 Malian soldiers for the settlement of the conflict which has been destabilising Northern Mali for over a year, the French Embassy in Bamako said in a statement Thursday. At the same time, France has reaffirmed that dialogue between the government and the rebels was the only way to resolve the crisis. Consequently, it called for the implementation of the Algiers 2006 Agreements, signed to end the conflict. “The Algerian mediation was an essential factor for the good implementation of these agreements,” the statement said. The 44 Malian soldiers are believed to be the last hostages held by the leader of the Touareg rebel group, Ibrahim Ag Bahanga.