- the Festivals of Crafts and Tourism of Mali in Europe (France- 10th Edition, Spain…), in the
United States.
Paragraph 8: Duty of contributing to the promotion and achievement of African Unity
382. Mali has made a resolute choice of integration. Born within the context of integration,
Mali has committed itself irreversibly to the development strategy as evidenced by the
different Constitutions from independence to date.
383. Indeed, Article 117 of the Constitution provides that: “The Republic of Mali may enter
into an agreement of association or community consisting of a partial surrender or total
sovereignty with any African State in order to achieve African unity”
384. Furthermore, the recent establishment in the government architecture of a department
devoted to African integration is the tangible expression of the commitment of Mali on the
path to African integration.
385. The same thing is applicable to the establishment by Decree No. 00-195/P-RM of 19
April 2000 of the National Commission for African Integration. The key mandates of the
Commission, among others, are to advise the Government on issues relating to the
development of the national policy on African integration and to propose all measures likely
to accelerate the African integration process.
386. Finally, the organisation of the “National Week of African Integration” is the translation
of this unbreakable and immutable commitment of Mali to proceed towards African
integration.
387. Indeed, the Ministry of African Integration has been organising since 1994 of the
“National Week of African Integration” which is held from 18 to 25 May of every year
through the following activities:
- the Caravan of Integration ;
- the night of African folk tales and legends;
- the conference-debates and the tasting of African food specialities ;
- the night of integration (with two concerts, one at the Independence Square and the other at
the Palace of Culture) ;
- sporting activities.
Sporting activities organised on 25 May of every year, comprising two football matches. The
first is a gala match between the members of Government and representatives of the
diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of Mali and the second one between a selection
of the African community in Mali and the communal team of the Bamako District.
CONCLUSION
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