Mali’s Judicial System and Security Challenges

The State of Mali’s Justice System

The judicial system in Mali is facing significant obstacles, including chronic underfunding, corruption, and insecurity, which are hindering the restoration of the rule of law and entrenching organized crime.

• High levels of impunity and restricted access to justice have contributed to the prevalence of illicit activities, including trafficking, drug trade, and human rights abuses.
• The Malian judiciary has been plagued by neglect and mismanagement, with many judicial personnel abandoning their posts in insecure areas, resulting in extended pre-trial detention for many detainees.

Laws and Order

Mali’s security forces are struggling to maintain order due to corruption, inadequate resources, and limited training. This has led to:

• Corruption: Local police and gendarmes have been accused of complicity in supporting forced labor and sex trafficking.
• Limited effectiveness: The judicial police’s services have been criticized for their poor quality and abuse of power, deepening concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement.

Territorial Integrity

Mali’s territorial integrity is severely compromised by an ongoing insurgency and political instability. This has resulted in:

• Restricted control: The transitional government has restricted control over the capital and some major towns in the south.
• State sovereignty compromised: State sovereignty is compromised in rural areas, the majority of the central region, and almost all of the north outside of regional capitals.

Economic and Financial Environment

Mali faces significant difficulties in combating money laundering due to:

• Prevalence of illicit activities: The country’s cash-based economy also complicates efforts to track illegal financial transactions.
• Weak regulatory environment: The government’s economic regulatory environment is considered weak, with trafficking playing a considerable role in the country’s social and economic structure.

Civil Society and Social Protection

While the government collaborates with NGOs and international organizations to refer trafficking victims to assistance services, the support remains insufficient. This has led to:

• Limited services: Most services are provided by NGOs funded by private and international donors.
• Lack of standard procedures: There is a lack of standard identification procedures and formal referral mechanisms.

Challenges for Civil Society

Prevention measures undertaken by the government are limited to training and awareness-raising programs. Civil society organizations in Mali play an important role in the country’s political landscape, but increased insecurity has hampered their operations.

Media Landscape

The media landscape faces challenges such as:

• Self-censorship: Journalists carrying out investigations face violence, human rights violations, and hostage situations.
• Harassment of media outlets: Authorities continue to harass media outlets regarding their coverage of security issues.