Speech to the Nation by the President of the Transition on the occasion of Army Day

Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Members, My Dear Compatriots, Our nation will commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the founding of its National Army tomorrow (Editor's note: Friday, January 20). Mali's national sovereignty is symbolized by January 20 as an affirmation and concretization of that sovereignty.

As a result of his commemoration, I have the chance to honor President Modibo Keta and all of his fellow soldiers once more this year. As true visionaries, they realized the necessity and urgency of establishing a national army from the very first moments of our country's declaration of independence in order to support the country's emancipation process, ensure territorial defense, as well as the protection of the populace and the vital interests of the country. Since that time, the Malian Armed Forces have contributed to penning the illustrious chapters of our modern history while remaining true to the tradition of our people's valiant struggle.

Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Non-Commissioned Members, My cherished countrymen, Each generation has historical missions to carry out. The current political climate in our nation is characterized by the struggle against armed terrorist organizations that have imposed a war on our people that has resulted in unimaginable suffering for our people.

This is all taking place in a highly complex geopolitical environment on a global scale, so it is important for us to understand it well in order to avoid being duped by unreliable analyses that only serve to maintain our dependence. Our compass is the satisfaction of the vital interests of the Malian people in this situation where States are only motivated by their own interests. The Malian people are our center of gravity.

Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Members, My Dear Compatriots, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the FAMA for their dedication and the soldiers for their bravery over the past year. These soldiers, who are fully aware of their duty to the Malian people, are battling day and night in harsh conditions to preserve the country's integrity.

Like their forerunners before them, they upheld their commitment. I would like to make a respectful bow in front of the memory of all those who lost their lives defending the country, both soldiers and civilians, and I wish those who were hurt a quick recovery.

The nation's gratitude for receiving their lives as a gift will never fade. Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Members, My cherished Countrymen, One of the Assises Nationales de la Refondation's most adamant recommendations was the militarization of the national police.

a reform that helps our defense mechanism become more modern. The Defense and Security Forces, which are waging a tenacious war against terrorism, can be strengthened in terms of both personnel and capabilities thanks to this.

In this regard, I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this project a reality, including the Defense and Security Forces and the various segments of the population. Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Members, My Dear Compatriots, The fight against terrorism being a multifaceted and protracted conflict, our main concern has always been to have a defense tool comparable to the threat.

In order to combat this, the defense strategy must be bold and proactive. We have been working on this since August 20, 2020, which is fortunate.

In light of the commitment of the men serving in the theaters of operations, the results that are increasingly emerging from this are encouraging. The Defense and Security Forces are a part of a dynamic that is regaining initiative while significantly shifting the balance of power, as opposed to submitting.

Our Army has undergone a fundamental doctrine and vision change that has made it legitimately the pride of the entire country, which increasingly recognizes itself in its strategic orientations. From the year 2020 to the present, numerous operations have been launched with the intention of defending and easing the suffering of populations subjected to the heinous deeds of terrorist armed groups.

The "Maliko" operation placed a strong emphasis on the restoration of the rule of law, the return of State authority, and the freedom of movement for people and their goods. Despite the fact that the results were quite significant, a new posture was needed to respond to the threat's nature.

This led to the "Kélétigui" operation, which was characterized by the initiative-taking needed to effectively control the terrain. Through the destruction of their safe havens, it seeks out and delegitimizes terrorist organizations.

The discovery and destruction of numerous terrorist hideouts in 2022, as well as the recovery of significant quantities of weapons and ammunition, all contributed to this. In addition to building on the successes of "Kélétigui," another massive operation known as "Tile Kura" will play a role in the dynamics of ensuring the holding of the upcoming general elections as well as the referendum.

In the end, all of these operations aid in not only widening the controlled zones to permit unrestricted movement of people and their belongings, but also in resuming socioeconomic activities and ensuring the administration and essential social services can function again in a sustainable manner. Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Members, My Dear Compatriots, I am happy to report that the Defense and Security Forces have acquired far more equipment in the past two years of Transition than they did in the decades before.

In order to boost the capabilities of land units, the Defense and Security Forces have been bolstered with significant rolling stock, weapons, and ammunition over the past year. Mi-35, Mi-24, Mi-8, and Mi-171 type helicopters, a Casa C-295 type multi-role transport aircraft, and fighter aircraft of the Su-25 and L-39 Albatros type, are used to bolster aerial and airmobile capabilities.

In order to enhance the capabilities of the Air Force, we have also purchased surveillance radars, ground-to-air defenses, and Bayraktar TB2 type drones. In addition to our goal of continuously supplying equipment to the Defense and Security Forces, gallant large-scale projects have been launched to improve living and working conditions and to train personnel.

soldiers. We are proud to mention the establishment of the Mali War School as an example; the second promotion of this institution has just started classes again.

It is also important to note the development and strengthening of a continuous training cycle, which is a key component of Army cohesion as it rightfully works to manage the workforce through the implementation of the Defense Personnel Management and Information System. In terms of infrastructure, it's important to highlight the beginning of the construction of 4,000 housing units, of which 1,000 are already under construction, for the Defense and Security Forces in the Kati garrison as well as in other areas.

Additionally, work is still being done on the 4th Generation Military Hospital. The construction of the Bougouni, San, Koutiala, Diéma, and Kita camps is about to begin after the Nara and Banamba camps have already been built.

Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Members, My Dear Compatriots, Our Country has Undertaken to Irreversibly Defend its Territory and Secure its Populations, Relying Only on its Own Vision with the Assistance of Sincere Partners By Deciding to Diversify its Cooperation ties, Particularly on the Military Level. This is the main justification for the three fundamental principles that the Transitional Authorities have adopted to direct public action, namely: respect for Mali's sovereignty; respect for Mali's strategic decisions and partner selections; and consideration of the paramount interests of the Malian people in all decisions.

These principles will not be compromised by unjustified pressure or even a last-ditch effort to isolate Mali. Our goal is to transform Mali Kura into a prosperous, secure, and well-respected nation.

Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Soldiers, My Dear Compatriots, I cannot end without expressing my sincere gratitude to the people of Mali for their unwavering support of the Defense and Security Forces. More so than ever before, the bond between the people and their Army is strengthening.

Each citizen has a part to play in ensuring the security of the country, regardless of their position. This civil defense must be thought of as a permanent mechanism designed to safeguard populations both during times of peace and during times of conflict.

I therefore enjoin Malians, from ordinary citizens to civil authorities, including customary authorities, to participate in this dynamic that will strengthen the bond between the populace and their army. I want to wish everyone a happy Army Day in a peaceful and prosperous Mali, and I'll say it again: best wishes for the new year.

Together, we will build Mali Kura; may Allah bless Mali and keep Malians safe. Long live the Malian Armed Forces. I appreciate it.

As true visionaries, they realized the necessity and urgency of establishing a national army from the very first moments of our country's declaration of independence in order to support the country's emancipation process, ensure territorial defense, as well as the protection of the populace and the vital interests of the country.