UN General Assembly
1995

The international personality of Mali — a personality that has been forged through the centuries — is based first of all on the ability of its people to live in harmony with their neighbours and on Mali’s openness to the world, its sense of solidarity and its steadfast commitment to defending the values of mankind. The Republic of Mali will continue to be dedicated to that vocation despite the set-backs and misunderstandings that are inherent in contacts between diverse cultures and traditions because we have the firm conviction that ethnic and cultural diversity constitute a source of mutual enrichment, and a powerful stimulant to economic, social and cultural progress. 40 Indeed, by its geographical position, Mali is at the crossroads between northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. It is a nation enriched by centuries of playing the role of a melting-pot of diverse cultures. Today, fortunately, Mali lives in an atmosphere of good will, ethnic pluralism, religious pluralism, political pluralism, social and cultural pluralism. The national problem in the northern part of our country has been making news because of partisan,