Mali marks the anniversary of the country’s independence in Kati, near Bamako, with a military parade, with the president of the transition Colonel Assimi Goïta attending. Goïta assures that Mali will "honour all its international commitments", amid the controversy over the Malian military's alleged intention to hire paramilitaries from Russian private-security firm Wagner. The Russian company is considered close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and has been accused of committing abuses. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES