Mali's opposition chief Soumaila Cisse released after prisoner swap

Mali's presidency on Thursday announced that opposition leader Soumaïla Cissé had been freed. 

The announcement, over Twitter, added that Cisse was on his way back to the capital Bamako.

Reports said he was being held by armed groups. It is not clear if money was paid in exchange for Cisse's freedom. Analysts say his release is a plus for the country's new leaders.