President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a Congratulatory Message to her colleague, the President of the Republic of Mali, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, on that country’s 57th Independence Anniversary on September 22, 2017.

September 22 commemorates the independence from France as the Republic of Mali in 1960. Mali was colonized by France in 1892. The colony was known as French Sudan and was administered as part of the Federation of French West Africa. The French obtained firm control over the area by 1905. In 1958, French Sudan was renamed the Sudanese Republic and was granted complete internal autonomy, joining the French Community.

In 1959, Senegal and the Sudanese Republic formed the Federation of Mali. On June 20, 1960, the Federation became fully independent from France. Two months later, Senegal withdrew from the Federation of Mali.

On September 22, 1960, the former Sudanese Republic gained independence as the Republic of Mali. Former Prime Minister of the Mali Federation Modibo Keïta became the first President of Mali.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to President Keita, and through him the Government and people of the Republic of Mali on the occasion of its 57^th Independence Anniversary.

“As we join you and your compatriots in observing this momentous occasion, it is my fervent prayer that the bonds of friendship and cooperation so happily subsisting between our two countries in the spirit of continued regional cooperation and partnership will be strengthened in furtherance of the principles of promoting international peace and security among all nations,” the Liberian leader said.

She prayed that the Almighty Allah will continue to endow His Excellency Mr. Keita with abundant wisdom, strength and good health as he leads his people to greater heights.