The Minister of State, Minister of National Reconciliation and Social Cohesion, Lieutenant General Ismaël WAGUÉ, officially launched the activities of National Youth Week on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the Bamako International Conference Center (CICB), on behalf of the President of the Transition, General Assimi GOÏTA.
The ceremony took place in the presence of several administrative, civil, and religious authorities, several ambassadors, and numerous young people from across the country.
Under the theme "Youth, Peace, and Security: Preventing Disinformation, Combating Radicalization, and Promoting Peace," this 2026 edition aims to place youth at the heart of the challenges of peace, social cohesion, and development.
Both an institutional and cultural event, National Youth Week aims in particular to strengthen the capacities of young people and their associative governance, while promoting national unity, social cohesion, and civic engagement among youth.
On behalf of the President of the Transition, Lieutenant General Ismaël WAGUÉ commended the commitment of Malian youth, whom he described as "responsible, committed, mobilized, and patriotic." According to him, youth constitute a true symbol of national unity, around which the various components of the nation must converge to meet the country's challenges.
In this spirit, the Minister of National Reconciliation called upon all members of the Government, in accordance with the directives of the President of the Transition, to work harder to find alternatives and solutions adapted to the aspirations of young people. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Abdoul Kassim Ibrahim Fomba, explained that the commitment shown by young people responds in particular to the call launched by the President of the National Youth Council, Sory Ibrahim Cissé. This mobilization, he said, is intended to demonstrate the youth's willingness to support the highest authorities in building the nation.
"These young people are committed to being the architects of cohesion and the builders of bridges between communities. They need the necessary tools, and they will build Mali," Minister Fomba emphasized.
For the Minister of Youth and Sports, peace and youth are inseparable. He recalled that the United Nations has placed the role of young people in local development at the heart of International Youth Day this year. Mali intends to go further by making its youth a major player in peace, security, and development.
In conclusion, Mr. Abdoul Kassim Ibrahim Fomba urged young people to remain engaged and to take full advantage of the various training, networking, and civic engagement opportunities that will be offered to them throughout the week.
Through this celebration, the authorities reaffirm their commitment to making youth a true force for peace, social cohesion, and development, as well as a fully engaged participant in nation-building.
First Class Tandin Mounkoro
