Forty-six Ivorian troops whose detention by Mali has triggered a bitter diplomatic row reportedly appeared for trial at a court in Bamako. The news follows a "friendly working visit" by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe, who is mediating the ongoing dispute.
The French press agency AFP said the soldiers had been brought before an appeals court in the run-up to a 1 January deadline set by West African leaders for Mali to release the soldiers or face sanctions.
