Burkinabè opposition leader condemns abduction of Malian counterpart
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) – The leader of the opposition Union for Change and Progress (UPC) in Burkina Faso, Zéphirin Diabré, on Friday condemned the abduction of Soumaïla Cissé, leader of the Malian opposition, from the center of Mali where he was on election campaign.
"It is with deep consternation that the UPC learnt that on Wednesday 25 March 2020, Honorable Soumaïla Cissé, chairman of the Union for Republic and Democracy (URD) and leader of the Malian political opposition, was abducted on the Saraféré-Koumaïra road (Republic of Mali) by gunmen, as he was on campaigning for the parliamentary elections," said a declaration signed by Mr Diabré.
The declaration said that Mr Cissé was abducted with eleven members of his team. According to a declaration made by URD, half of the team was released. The death of Soumaïla Cissé’s body guard was deplored and several wounded among the released were reported.
UPC "condemns strongly the abduction of Honorable Soumaïla Cissé and his companions and the attack that left one dead and several others wounded".
"Our party offers its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes early recovery to the wounded", said Mr Diabré who encourages the Malian government whose role is to secure the elections and protect the Malian opposition leader, make all arrangements to free Mr Cissé and his companions unharmed.
-0- PANA TNDD/IS/MSA/VAO 27March2020
