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Democracy and Governance in Mali
Mali stands out as a stable democracy in the midst of the troubled West African region. Local elections
are scheduled to be held early in 2004 - another important milestone in its far-reaching decentralization
plan. Unfortunately the vast open territory in the north of Mali presents potential troubling security threats.
Armed gangs have the ability to roam through the porous borders with Algeria, Niger, and Mauritania
virtually unchecked. These conditions have the potential to facilitate increased terrorist activities in the
north. Mali’s commitment to democracy, its openness to economic integration in West Africa and its
willingness to contribute peacekeeping forces have played an important role in U.S. and international
efforts to bring stability to the region. Moreover, it is a predominantly Muslim country that is allied with the
United States in the war on terrorism.
The USAID program is addressing three strategic goals of USAID and the
Department of State in Mali: (i) Democracy and Human Rights; (ii) Economic Prosperity and Security; and
(iii) Social and Environmental Issues. Specifically, over the next two years, USAID intends to help
increase people’s incomes and well-being, improve the dismal health and education statistics cited above
and give people the tools needed to govern effectively. The following Data Sheets describe the four
strategic objectives and one special objective for which USAID plans to use FY 2004 and FY 2005 funds.
These objectives will be attained by expanding economic opportunities, particularly for the rural poor;
providing high impact health services to improve the health and welfare of women and children, and to
prevent an HIV/AIDS epidemic; improving the quality of basic education; working to consolidate
democracy through support of decentralization; and accelerating overall development by making
information more widely accessible. Special attention will be given to increasing the use of irrigation in
order to lessen Mali’s economic and food security vulnerability to climatic variations. The objectives were
developed in close coordination with the Malian government and other stakeholders, notably donors and
the non-governmental sector. USAID’s strategy is well integrated into Mali’s own strategy to reduce
poverty. Key features of this strategy of relevance to USAID are the development of a rural economy
driven by the private sector, strengthened food production systems in the context of responsible natural
resources management; expanded access to and improved delivery of health and education services;
(Excerpted from the 2005 Congressional Budget Justification for Mali)
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