An official report published over the weekend says a 2019 crash involving two French defence helicopters in conflict-torn Mali which killed 13 soldiers was due to miscommunication during a military operation.

The night accident occurred in November 2019 while the helicopters, both flying at low altitude, were reinforcing ground troops pursuing insurgents near the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger.

A Tiger attack helicopter collided with a Cougar military transport helicopter while engaging the insurgents fleeing on motorcycles and in pick-up trucks.

All those on board were killed.

Adolphus Mawolo reports.