Mali National Day

On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Mali on the 63rd anniversary of your independence.

The coming year will be momentous as Malians go to the polls to vote for a new president in February. We welcome the return of a civilian democratic government chosen through free and fair elections. As the largest bilateral donor of humanitarian and development assistance, the United States remains a stalwart partner of the Malian people as we work together to improve prosperity, ensure peace, and achieve lasting stability. Today we reflect on our many years of partnership and look forward to a new era of cooperation underpinned by shared democratic values.