At the opening ceremony of the second session of the National Transitional Council on 3 October, the President of the National Transitional Council, Colonel Malick Diaw, paid tribute to Colonel Dansa Kourouma of Guinea. This was for his firm instructions to all levels of the institutions that all situations concerning Mali should be dealt with urgently, without any hindrance.

He said it was necessary to pay tribute to the predecessors who taught them that Guinea and Mali are two lungs of the same body. He revealed that the destinies of the two countries are fundamentally linked. “With the political transitions underway in Mali and Guinea, another common page in the history of our two countries is being written,” he said. The president of Guinea’s NTC, Colonel Dansa Kourouma, was present at the opening ceremony.

According to Colonel Diaw, the relations between Mali and Guinea are signals that do not deceive. The facts are stubborn, they say, but what has happened between our two countries in the space of a few months is quite historic.  He cited, among other things, Mali’s participation in the investiture ceremony of Colonel Doumbouya in Conakry on 1 October 2021, where the first official audience of the ceremony was granted to the Malian delegation that he led on behalf of the President of the Transition.

He then recalled the installation session of the NTC of Guinea on 5 February 2022, followed by very prolific working sessions between the two NTCs.

“This situation, as you know, was born out of a strong desire to redress the state governance of our states. Indeed, we could no longer accept that for decades after independence, our populations continue to live in poverty, precariousness and insecurity.

He called on everyone to ensure that the security, economic and democratic benefits of this transitional period are reaped. Hence the absolute necessity for the respective authorities to make judicious, even common, political choices enabling these two countries to flourish in peace, prosperity and security.

 In this regard, he noted, the NTC of Mali welcomes all the major projects already contained in the joint cooperation portfolio. Assuring the constant and full availability, to work with the Guineans wherever necessary. Including in the framework of bilateral and multilateral parliamentary diplomacy.

Addressing the issue of security and terrorism, he deplored that several Malian localities continue to record sporadic attacks by armed terrorist groups. These terrorists and their accomplices are on the verge of collapse.

In this regard, the President of the NTC praised the increasing professionalism of the Malian defense and security forces, their bravery and operational efficiency, which, according to him, have inflicted heavy losses on the attackers. He, therefore, condemned these cowardly attacks against the people and the country.

Colonel Diaw then reiterated the Council’s condolences to the entire Malian nation, to the bereaved families, and to the injured civilians and soldiers. He also wished all educational and training institutions the best in their academic endeavours.

He also took the opportunity to thank the Malian people for their excellent collaboration with the forces and their contribution to the results achieved. However, Malick Diaw insisted that the prerequisite remains national reconciliation, social cohesion and living together.

Once again, he urged Malians to contribute to building peace and to avoid war and conflict, because all the great wars the world has known have ended in disasters of all kinds, citing African countries as examples.

He also called on the government and Malians to spare no effort to make Mali a haven of peace.  The NTC, as usual, will always be present to succeed in this challenge, he reassured.

Mali, said the NTC president, is always ready for dialogue and only asks to collaborate with dignity, in all legality, with all its partners in the strict respect of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Story By: Florence D.Y. GBOLU