All posts by COL L. Bortoluzzi Garcia

from the CIA Factbook (Page last updated on October 13, 2020)

Government type: semi-presidential republic

Capital: Bamako

Administrative divisions: 10 regions and 1 district*; District de Bamako*, Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Menaka, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Taoudenni, Tombouctou (Timbuktu); note – Menaka and Taoudenni were legislated in 2016.

Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)

Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Constitutional Court

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

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From Cia Factbook (Page last updated on October 13, 2020)

Economy – overview:

Among the 25 poorest countries in the world, landlocked Mali depends on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. The country’s fiscal status fluctuates with gold and agricultural commodity prices and the harvest; cotton and gold exports make up around 80% of export earnings. Mali remains dependent on foreign aid.

Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River; about 65% of Mali’s land area is desert or semi desert. About 10% of the population is nomadic and about 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The government subsidizes the production of cereals to decrease the country’s dependence on imported foodstuffs and to reduce its vulnerability to food price shocks.

Mali is developing its iron ore extraction industry to diversify foreign exchange earnings away from gold, but the pace will depend on global price trends. Although the political coup in 2012 slowed Mali’s growth, the economy has since bounced back, with GDP growth above 5% in 2014-17, although physical insecurity, high population growth, corruption, weak infrastructure, and low levels of human capital continue to constrain economic development. Higher rainfall helped to boost cotton output in 2017, and the country’s 2017 budget increased spending more than 10%, much of which was devoted to infrastructure and agriculture. Corruption and political turmoil are strong downside risks in 2018 and beyond.

GDP (official exchange rate): $15.37 billion (2017 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP):

$2,200 (2017 est.)

$2,100 (2016 est.)

$2,100 (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Population below poverty line: 36.1% (2005 est.)

Agriculture – products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats

Industries: food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ml.html

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Other sources about Mali Economy

2019 Investment Climate Statements: Mali by US Department of State –  Economic growth, Foreign Direct Investment, Financial sector, Corruption 

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

From Cia Factbook (Page last updated on October 09, 2020)

Military and security forces:

Malian Armed Forces (FAMa): Army (Armee de Terre), Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM); National Gendarmerie; National Guard (Garde National du Mali) (2019) / note(s): the Gendarmerie and the National Guard are under the authority of the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs (Ministere De La Defense Et Des Anciens Combattants, MDAC), but operational control is shared between the MDAC and the Ministry of Internal Security and Civil Protection.

The Gendarmerie’s primary mission is internal security and public order; its duties also include territorial defense, humanitarian operations, intelligence gathering, and protecting private property, mainly in rural areas.

The National Guard is a military force responsible for providing security to government facilities and institutions, prison service, public order, humanitarian operations, some border security, and intelligence gathering; it has special units on camels (the Camel Corps) for patrolling the deserts and borders of northern Mali.

Military and security service personnel strengths: estimates for the size of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) vary; approximately 19,000 total troops (13,000 Army; 800 Air Force; 3,000 Gendarmerie; 2,000 National Guard)(2019 est.).

Military – note: prior to the August 2020 coup, the Malian military had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960; two attempts failed (1976 and 1978), while three succeeded (1968, 1991, and 2012); the military collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants.

Since 2017, the FAMa, along with other government security and paramilitary forces, has conducted multiple major operations against militants in the eastern, central, and northern parts of the country; up to 4,000 troops reportedly have been deployed; the stated objectives for the most recent operation (Operation Maliko in early 2020) was to end terrorist activity and restore government authority in seven of the country’s 10 regions, including Mopti, Ségou, Gao, Kidal, Ménaka, Taoudénit, and Timbuktu.

Mali is part of a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, and Niger; it has committed 1,100 troops and 200 gendarmes to the force; in early 2020, G5 Sahel military chiefs of staff agreed to allow defense forces from each of the states to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the G5 force is backed by the UN, US, and France; G5 troops periodically conduct joint operations with French forces deployed to the Sahel under Operation Barkhane.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has operated in the country since 2013; the Mission’s responsibilities include providing security, rebuilding Malian security forces, supporting national political dialogue, and assisting in the reestablishment of Malian government authority; as of March 2020, MINUSMA had around 15,500 military, police, and civilian personnel deployed.

The European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-M) also has operated in the country since 2013; the EUTM-M provides advice and training to the Malian Armed Forces and military assistance to the G5 Sahel Joint Force; as of August 2020, the mission included more than 600 personnel from 28 European countries (2020).

Other information on Mali – Military / Security:

from Mali SSR Background Note, DCAF

a. Defence

The Malian Armed Forces consist of the National Defence, composed of the Air Force, the Army and the National Guard, alongside the National Gendarmerie, all of whom fall under the authority of the Ministry of Armed Forces and Former Combatants (MoAF).

The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces, and the Prime Minister is responsible for the implementation of the national defence policy. The Armed Forces fall under the MoAF, and consist of 13,800 personnel. The armed forces are also used during peacetime as an auxiliary force to maintain public order. As of 2014, 7% of the army and 6% of the air force were composed of women.

There has always been tension between the civilian population and military forces because of Mali’s history of authoritarian rule. This relationship has been further damaged by the recent coup and continued influence of the ex-Junta leaders on the interim government. Furthermore, Mali’s military remains deeply divided, underpaid and unable to effectively defend the country from insurgent groups. Security forces have also been accused of violating basic human rights and attacking individuals who belong to specific ethnic groups thought to be in collusion with the insurgents.

b. Police and Internal Security

Internal security and public order are ensured by the National Police, the National Gendarmerie, and the National Guard, which report to the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection (MSPC) for employment. The two last institutions remain attached to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans (MDAC) for their administrative and budgetary management. The 2015 Peace Agreement also allows for the creation of territorial police forces in the regions.

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

From the CIA Factbook (Page last updated on October 13, 2020)

Population: 19,553,397 (July 2020 est.)

Nationality: Malian(s)

Ethnic groups: Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa .4%, other .3% (2018 est.)

Language: French (official), Bambara 46.3%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, unspecified 0.7%, other 6.3% (2009 est.) / note: Mali has 13 national languages in addition to its official language

Religion: Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist .7%, none 2.5% (2018 est.) 

Demographic profile:

Mali’s total population is expected to double by 2035; its capital Bamako is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. A young age structure, a declining mortality rate, and a sustained high total fertility rate of 6 children per woman – the third highest in the world – ensure continued rapid population growth for the foreseeable future. Significant outmigration only marginally tempers this growth. Despite decreases, Mali’s infant, child, and maternal mortality rates remain among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa because of limited access to and adoption of family planning, early childbearing, short birth intervals, the prevalence of female genital cutting, infrequent use of skilled birth attendants, and a lack of emergency obstetrical and neonatal care.

Mali’s high total fertility rate has been virtually unchanged for decades, as a result of the ongoing preference for large families, early childbearing, the lack of female education and empowerment, poverty, and extremely low contraceptive use. Slowing Mali’s population growth by lowering its birth rate will be essential for poverty reduction, improving food security, and developing human capital and the economy.

Mali has a long history of seasonal migration and emigration driven by poverty, conflict, demographic pressure, unemployment, food insecurity, and droughts. Many Malians from rural areas migrate during the dry period to nearby villages and towns to do odd jobs or to adjoining countries to work in agriculture or mining. Pastoralists and nomads move seasonally to southern Mali or nearby coastal states. Others migrate long term to Mali’s urban areas, Cote d’Ivoire, other neighboring countries, and in smaller numbers to France, Mali’s former colonial ruler. Since the early 1990s, Mali’s role has grown as a transit country for regional migration flows and illegal migration to Europe. Human smugglers and traffickers exploit the same regional routes used for moving contraband drugs, arms, and cigarettes.

Between early 2012 and 2013, renewed fighting in northern Mali between government forces and Tuareg secessionists and their Islamist allies, a French-led international military intervention, as well as chronic food shortages, caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Malians. Most of those displaced domestically sought shelter in urban areas of southern Mali, except for pastoralist and nomadic groups, who abandoned their traditional routes, gave away or sold their livestock, and dispersed into the deserts of northern Mali or crossed into neighboring countries. Almost all Malians who took refuge abroad (mostly Tuareg and Maure pastoralists) stayed in the region, largely in Mauritania, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

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Cultural Property Protection in Mali – contributed by Ms. Sarah Petrin (PKSOI)

Mali, destruction of cultural property in Timbuktu by violent extremists resulted in the first CPP mandate within MINUSMA and the first precedent-setting ICC conviction for CPP as a war crime.

When northern Mali was occupied by violent extremists in 2012, militants vandalized and destroyed mosques, and burned thousands of ancient manuscripts in Timbuktu, a World Heritage Site. The displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from the north to the south also left these sites unprotected (UNESCO Mali Case Study, pg. 4).

During the occupation, the Malian Ministry of Culture worked with UNESCO to develop a booklet, Passeport pour le patrimoine, which contained descriptions, maps, photographs and geographical coordinates of protected historic structures and sites in northern Mali (UNESCO Military Manual, pg. 24). The passport was an essential tool for familiarizing military, police, customs and border officials in the north with the heritage sites. It was also used as an important public information tool to garner support from local populations for future safeguarding of the sites.  

The town of Timbuktu was occupied until January 2013, when French forces recaptured the area and eventually handed it over to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). In April 2013, MINUSMA became the first peacekeeping mission to receive a Cultural Property Protection mandate from the UN Security Council. The mandate stated that the mission was to “assist the transitional authorities of Mali in protecting from attack the cultural and historic sites in Mali, in collaboration with UNESCO” (UNSCRes 2100, April 2013). The mandate further encouraged the mission to operate in the vicinity of cultural and historical sites. Since the initial mandate in 2013, all mandate renewals have included language on CPP (UNESCO Military Manual). 

MINUSMA established an Environment and Culture Unit to operationalize this aspect of the mandate. The unit developed training for UN and Malian military and police forces on preserving heritage sites. The unit also drew up emergency security plans to prevent additional attacks and providing logistical and security support to UNESCO while repairs were made to damaged sites (UNESCO Mali case study, pg. 14). 

In the aftermath of the occupation, UNESCO established an action plan for Mali with three main objectives; 1) rehabilitation of damaged cultural sites 2) implementing measures to protect ancient manuscripts remaining in the region, and 3) training to re-establish conditions for safeguarding heritage. 

In 2015, UNECSCO helped rebuild 14 mausoleums that were destroyed in 2012-2013. Local stone masons helped rebuild the mausoleums that were shrines to the founding fathers of Timbuktu. A book was also written about efforts to save the ancient manuscripts, The Book Smugglers of Timbuktu, telling the story of how librarians smuggled manuscripts from the north to the capitol city of Bamako. However, during the occupation 4,203 ancient Islamic manuscripts were burned or stolen. To increase the likelihood of recovering stolen manuscripts, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) produced a red list of items at risk of being exported from Mali. 

The destruction of cultural property in Mali was referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), resulting in the conviction of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi for war crimes in September 2016. Al Mahdi was a member of the Ansar Eddine, a movement associated with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb that destroyed religious and historic buildings in Timbuktu. He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment and is serving time in the United Kingdom. This was a precedent setting case as the destruction of cultural heritage had not previously, on its own merits, been considered a war crime.

UNESCO has gathered a number of lessons learned from the Mali case study. These include the importance of establishing early warning and crisis response mechanisms when cultural sites are under attack, having agreements in place with key partners in national governments and United Nations missions at the onset of an emergency, early mobilization of resources for cultural recovery, and the importance of continually building capacity and knowledge of cultural heritage protection (UNESCO Case Study, pgs. 17-18). 

Sources:

UNESCO Military Guide on Cultural Property Protection, 2016, https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246633

UNESCO Case Study: Lessons Learned from Mali, April 2017, http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/IOS/images/PI_159_Mali_Case_Study.pdf

International Criminal Court, Al Mahdi Case ICC 01/12-01/15, www.icc-cpi.int/mali/al-mahdi

UN Security Council Resolution 2100, April 2013, http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/doc/2100

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

From Cia Factbook (Page last updated on October 13, 2020)

Electricity – production: 2.489 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity – consumption: 2.982 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Crude oil – proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Natural gas – proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Airports: 25 (2013)

Heliports: 2 (2013)

Roadways: total: 139,107 km (2018)

Waterways: 1,800 km (downstream of Koulikoro; low water levels on the River Niger cause problems in dry years; in the months before the rainy season the river is not navigable by commercial vessels) (2011)

Ports and terminals: river port(s): Koulikoro (Niger)

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Other sources:

https://ppiaf.org/documents/3150/download

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

Information on the MINUSMA Mandate can be found at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en/mandate-0.

The current mandate (UN Security Council Resolution 2480 (2019)) designates the following points as their priority tasks.

1. Support to the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali; to support the the political and institutional reforms, notably to support the Government’s efforts for the effective restoration and extension of State authority and rule of law in northern Mali;  to support, monitor and supervise the ceasefire; to support DDR;  to support the establishment of a plan for the redeployment of Malian Defence Security Force (MDSF) in the North of Mali; to support the implementation of the reconciliation and justice measures; to support elections
2. Support to stabilization and restoration of State authority in the Centre;  to support Malian authorities in reducing violence and intercommunal tensions; to support the redeployment of the MDSF in the Centre of Mali; to support Malian authorities in ensuring that those responsible for violations against human rights and IHL.
3. Protection of civilians; to protect civilians under threat of physical violence; to take active steps to anticipate, deter and effectively respond to threats to the civilian population, notably in the North and Center of Mali; to provide specific protection for women and children affected by armed conflict
4. Good offices and reconciliation; to exercise good offices, confidence-building and facilitation at the national and local levels; to support efforts to reduce intercommunal tensions; to support the holding of elections; to encourage and support the full implementation of the Agreement by signatory and relevant non-signatory actors
5. Promotion and protection of human rights; to assist the Malian authorities to promote and protect human rights, justice and reconciliation, bringing justice against serious violation of human rights, war crimes and crimes against humanity; to monitor, document, and help investigate on violations.
6. Humanitarian assistance; to contribute to the creation of a secure environment for the safe civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance
7. Other Tasks  – Quick impact projects and Cooperation with Sanctions Committees

Previous Mandates and key relevant documents can be found at the official MINUSMA website and Security Council Report.

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

Last update on: 24 November 2020

The MINUSMA Strength sources can be located on https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma and  MINUSMA Fact Sheet​​​​​​​.

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

Last update on: 24 November 2020

Information on MINUSMA casualties can be found at Fatalities by Mission and Incident Type or UN Peacekeeping Fatalities

The UN admitted that MINUSMA is one of the toughest UN peacekeeping operations in the UN news article.

“The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, is one of the toughest UN peacekeeping operations. Peacekeepers stationed there have sustained severe and regular casualties from the activities of armed groups in the north of the country, and many civilians have borne the brunt of the instability, which includes deadly inter-ethnic clashes.”​​​​​​​

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.

From MINUSMA website

MINUSMA’s official website describes their activity as follows;

Supporting political process and helping stabilize Mali

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks.  The Mission was asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in the stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap.

By unanimously adopting resolution 2164 of 25 June 2014, the Council further decided that the Mission should focus on duties, such as ensuring security, stabilization and protection of civilians; supporting national political dialogue and reconciliation; and assisting the reestablishment of State authority, the rebuilding of the security sector, and the promotion and protection of human rights in that country.

The UN SCR resolution for MINUSMA describes the prioritized mandates. The latest mandate (UNSCR 2480(2019)) followings as their priority.

1. Support to the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali
2. Support to stabilization and restoration of State authority in the Centre
3. Protection of civilians
4. Good offices and reconciliation
5. Promotion and protection of human rights
6. Humanitarian assistance

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These products are the results of academic research and intended for general information and awareness only. They include the best information publicly available at the time of publication. Routine efforts are made to update the materials; however, readers are encouraged to check the specific mission sites at https://minusma.unmissions.org/en or https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/minusma.