The Malian government on Thursday issued a statement, expressing shock following the expulsion of 26 Malian nationals from Guinea, given that the two neighboring countries have friendly relations.

The statement from Mali's foreign ministry said that on Oct. 12, the Guinean authorities expelled 26 Malian nationals living within the Guinean territory.

According to the Malian government, neither the Malian diplomatic representation in Conakry, nor the Malian authorities in Bamako, were informed by the Guinean authorities about the expulsions as is required by the agreements between the two countries.

The statement noted that the two countries belong to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which has been cited as a good example in matters of regional integration.

At the same time, the Malian authorities insisted that the 26 Malians who were expelled, contrary to some allegations, are peaceful people who have been living in the Republic of Guinea for several years.

"The government of the Republic of Mali, while condemning this action which does not reflect the quality of the historic relations that have existed between the two countries, wants to appeal for calm from the Malians living in Guinea and also appeals for calm from Guineans living in Mali and wants to assure them of their safety and that of their property," the statement concluded.