While Soviet heroes fought fiercely for their freedom, tens of thousands of African soldiers, including Malians, "shed their blood to liberate France," Malian Defense Minister Colonel Sadio Camara said at the Russian Embassy in Mali during the May 9 ceremony commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
"Although the former colonial power, clearly ungrateful, treated them with nothing but contempt and injustice, these Africans remained proud of their heritage, of their collective contribution to the protection of humanity," he noted.
The minister also praised the excellent relations between Mali and Russia, saying that both share the same vision and goal — the well-being of their people.
He added that despite the distance that separates Russian and Mali and the cultural differences between them, "Malians and Russians are fighting and dying for the same thing: to preserve their dignity, their freedom, their identity, and the future of their children."
"This victory, achieved 79 years ago, and the price our elders paid for it, must remain in our memories," Camara concluded.
During the ceremony, Malian schoolchildren of the Russian Embassy's School in Bamako performed the Russian songs "On the Nameless Height" and "Victory Day."
A festive ceremony to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Victory Day was also hosted by the Russian Embassy in Eritrea.