Financial Crime World

Cybercrime in Mali: A Growing Concern

Mali, a country in West Africa, has been facing the growing threat of cybercrime. The financial sector is particularly vulnerable to online attacks, which can have devastating consequences for individuals, businesses, and the economy.

Specialized Institutions

The Central Department of the Investigative Police (DCPJ) leads the fight against organized crime, including cybercrime in Mali. However, there are challenges in addressing this issue:

  • There is no official information on the existence of specialized units on cybercrime or electronic evidence within the DCPJ.
  • The Judicial Intervention Unit (Brigade d’Intervention Judiciaire - BIJ) has a “Cybercrime” Section.
  • The General Department of Scientific Police (la Direction générale de la Police technique et scientifique (DGPTS)) created in July 2017 has a specialized Unit on cybercrime.

International Cooperation

Mali is a party to several multilateral conventions, including:

  • ECOWAS Convention on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters
  • United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

The country also has bilateral conventions with neighboring countries and INTERPOL Bamako provides contact points within the National Police and other law enforcement agencies.

Legislation

Mali’s draft cybercrime law aims to create:

  • Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT Mali)
  • Platform for the fight against Cybercrime (PLCC)

The framework will also reinforce the existing legal mechanisms for cooperation against cybercrime.

Challenges Ahead

While steps have been taken, challenges remain in addressing cybercrime in Mali, including:

  • Limited availability of case law on cybercrime
  • Inadequate specialized institutions to tackle cybercrime
  • Insufficient international cooperation

The fight against cybercrime requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, and the public.

Sources

  • Malian legislation and draft laws
  • Reports by Malian media on cybercrime units
  • INTERPOL Bamako’s contact points within law enforcement agencies