A military parade was held in Kati, near Bamako to commemorate Mali’s 61st independence from France with Colonel Assimi Gota, the transition president, in attendance.
The Mali Federation declared independence from France on June 20, 1960. Senegal withdrew the federation in August 1960, allowing the Sudanese Republic to declare independence on September 22, 1960, which is still the country’s Independence Day.
However, the episode occurred during a period of political unrest in the Sahelian nation. “Mali is currently undergoing a terrible phase, but we must not lose faith in our country or state. We celebrate outstanding patriots and understand who the true citizens are during terrible times.” The transition president, Colonel Assimi Gota, stated.
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Despite the controversy surrounding the Malian military’s apparent willingness to engage paramilitaries from Russian private-security firm Wagner, Mali will “follow all its international responsibilities,” according to Goita.
The Russian corporation has been accused of human rights breaches and is related to Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a tour to the Sahel, France’s defense minister warned that recruiting paramilitaries from a Russian private security agency would isolate the country globally.
If Mali hires the group, Florence Parly warned reporters on Monday that it will be a “choice of isolation” at a time when international friends combating jihadism in the Sahel “have never been so many.”
Following reports that Mali’s army-dominated government and was on the verge of hiring 1,000 Wagner paramilitaries, Parly met with her Malian Counterpart Colonel Sadio Camara last week, following an earlier warning from Bamako’s former colonial authorities.
The minister added that because of France’s “abandonment” of Mali, “everything has to be considered” in order to secure the country. Thousands of French troops are stationed in the war-torn country, and France has promised a massive troop decrease across the Sahel.
Following yet another military coup in 2020, Mali has been in the middle of a political transition. As part of the long-running war on terrorism, it is also occupied by foreign armed forces. According to the United Nations, insecurity continues to have a terrible impact on people’s daily lives.