Mali celebrated the 65th anniversary of the founding of its National Army on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. In his address, the President of the Transition, General Assimi Goita, expressed his profound gratitude to these "brave men and women who honorably and steadfastly uphold the nation's colors while dedicating themselves to the defense of the territory and the protection of people and property." He also paid tribute to "the memory of the soldiers who fell on the field of honor" and wished a "speedy recovery" to the wounded.

The army is facing a "hybrid, shifting, insidious war..."

For him, the Malian Army remains standing, "seasoned and professional with significantly improved operational capabilities, thanks to the essential reforms undertaken" for its benefit.

Today, the general continued, this army is facing a "hybrid, shifting, insidious war, which follows the contours of global geopolitics and the cynical interests of state sponsors" of terrorist groups.

"The entrepreneurs of violence, supported by "the sponsors (in question), have changed their modus operandi. Their objective is now to target our strategic infrastructure and stifle our economy," assures Assimi Goita.

"The information field (is becoming) a veritable theater of operations."

"The battle is no longer taking place solely on the military field. It is also being fought in minds," he remarks, pointing to "disinformation, manipulation, demoralization campaigns" which, according to him, have become "weapons, (which transform) the information field into a veritable theater of operations."