The first Military Region of Mali, like the other regions, organized on January 20, 2023 on the place d’armes of the Firhoun Ag Alançar camp the festivities marking the 62nd anniversary of the creation of our army. The ceremony began with the review of the troops successively by the commander of the place d’armes, Colonel Issa BAGAYOKO, the commander of PCIAT-EST, Colonel Makan Alassane DIARRA and the governor of the region, Brigadier General Moussa TRAORE . The governor proceeded to lay a wreath of flowers at the stele dedicated to the dead fallen on the field of honour. The ceremony was marked by the presence of representatives of MINUSMA, administrative, political, communal and traditional authorities and a huge crowd who came for the occasion.
“January 20, 1961, January 20, 2023, the Malian armed forces celebrate 62 years of existence in the service of the Malian people. This celebration is in line with the commemoration of the first anniversary of sovereignty regained, consecrated and celebrated throughout the territory on June 14th. An opportunity for Malians and their army to further magnify Mali Koura which is now a model of sovereignty, a hope for every Malian, a priesthood for the political and military authorities of the transition” declared Colonel Issa BAGAYOKO. The army shares the pain and suffering of the people and everything will be done to meet the expectations of the people, continues the zone commander.
The commander of PCIAT-EST, Colonel Makan Alassane DIARRA stressed that January 20 is a day of pride, a major day in the life of the nation. He paid tribute to all the veterans who fought to make our army a national pride.
The Governor of Gao, General Moussa TRAORE welcomed and encouraged the armed forces to continue to meet security challenges. He also paid tribute to the fathers of independence and to all Malians celebrating this 62nd anniversary of our army.
Recipients composed of officers, non-commissioned officers and non-commissioned soldiers, all corps combined, received from the hands of the zone commander certificates of congratulations and recognition for service rendered to the Nation. Staff from public services, humanitarian organizations and MINUSMA also received certificates of recognition from the hands of the governor. The event was also marked by the parade with civilians and soldiers. We note the participation of veterans, associations of young people from Gao and the camp, staff officers, civil protection, the national police, the national gendarmerie, the National Guard, the military engineers, the army of the air and the army. The ceremony ended with a cocktail offered by the commander of Military Region N° 1.
Source: MALIAN ARMED FORCES