Bamako, Mali (PANA) – The Malian president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, unveiled on Monday a monument built for the remembrance of Malian soldiers who died during the war with the North-based Islamist armed groups .
The monument is located within the Soundiata Keita military base, located in Kati (15 km from Bamako).
Speaking on the significance of the monument, the Malian Minister of Defence and Veterans Soldiers, Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, said the project translates into desire to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Earlier, the Malian Defence minister and his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, co-chaired a similar ceremony during which the two unveiled, at the French Embassy in Bamako, another monument dedicated to the seven French soldiers who died during the “Serval” operation launched by France to assist the Malian armed forces to reclaim part of the country unlawfully occupied by Jihadists.
The French Defence minister said the Serval mission was not over yet, since the fight against terrorism was a long-running struggle.
Both ceremonies were held as part of the celebration of the 53rd anniversary of the creation of the Malian army on 20 January, 1961.
