Colonel Assimi Goïta, the president of Mali, recently addressed his people, the Malian people. I was moved by his humility, and depth. We should all aspire to do our part, and support our leaders, and more importantly remember that change starts with each one of us. If we want change, we each have to lend a hand, because it starts with us. We don’t have to wish for martyrs, but start one brick at a time. We are grateful for Assimi Goïta who is trying to bring back dignity to the Malian people, and pray that he can reach his goal, this goal which is ours, and blesses the entire African continent. We pray for him, and countless Malians, and citizens who are standing up. This is a fight for our freedom, our humanity, our dignity… Enjoy! The original is on Afrik-plus. Translated to English by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com

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“I am a mortal, I am not perfect. I am aware of that. History will judge me one day, but in the meantime I just ask for your support. I did not choose this destiny. It imposed itself to me. God knows what He is doing.

I will go all the way but if I die before reaching our ideal, continue the project without me and lay the groundwork for change with my blood and my flesh.

No sacrifice is huge for this country.

I am not Thomas Sankara, or Jerry Rawlings, I am Assimi Goïta. Remember me as a reformer not a revolutionary.

Remember me as the bringer of hope to the people, the one who came when your blood was shed because of your desire for change.

I will go to the end of my mission. I will never betray it, I will not betray your trust.

Death does not scare me, I saw it every day on the battlefield, it is failure that scares me.

If death marries me on the way to this ideal, do not mourn me.

Do not make my grave a sanctuary.

I did what I thought right for my country. I did it for me but I did it for you too.

I am Assimi, the man who smiles every day with death, his fist closed.”

Assimi Goïta