Mali celebrated its 66th independence anniversary on September 22, with a grand military parade and an address by President Assimi Goïta. The celebrations took place in the presence of several high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maïga, and the President of the National Transition Council, General Malick Diaw. A large crowd had gathered at the venue, despite the early morning rain. The President arrived at 10:21 am and was greeted with a salute of the flag and a rendition of the national anthem.
The military parade featured various units, including the army, air force, and national police, as well as elements of the support units, gendarmerie, and military schools. The parade also included a display of the country's military equipment and a flyby of the air force. Earlier, a group of students from the Kati military prytanée had performed a demonstration, calling for peace, social cohesion, and sovereignty. The students' performance was followed by the President's address, in which he emphasized the importance of supporting the country's armed forces.
In his address, President Goïta expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Malian armed forces and their international partners in securing the country and the Sahel region. He vowed to continue the fight against terrorism with determination and called on Malians to provide their total support to the armed forces. The President also highlighted the country's achievements, including the construction of new hospitals in Bamako, which were built using the state's own resources.
President Goïta also praised the resilience of the Malian people and reiterated his commitment to improving their living conditions. He emphasized that as the President, he was a servant of the people and would do everything in his power to ensure their well-being. The President also saluted the determination of the Malian people to regain their sovereignty and avoid being "slaves" to others.
Before his address, President Goïta had laid a wreath of flowers at the Monument of Independence, as part of the celebrations. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Prime Minister and the President of the National Transition Council. The President's address was followed by an interview with the press, in which he elaborated on his vision for the country.
The celebrations had begun early in the morning, with a briefing for journalists on the modalities of coverage of the event. The briefing was organized by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces, in collaboration with the Communication Cell of the Presidency of the Republic. The event was attended by several journalists, who were provided with information on the arrangements for the celebrations.
The 66th independence anniversary celebrations in Mali were marked by a sense of patriotism and national pride. The event was a significant milestone in the country's history, and the President's address emphasized the importance of unity and determination in the face of challenges. The celebrations concluded with the President mingling with the crowd, who had gathered to celebrate the country's independence.
Key points
- President Assimi Goïta calls for total support for the country's armed forces during the 66th independence anniversary celebrations.
