Over the recent decade, Mali has been severely affected by conflict, violence, and instability. Social inequalities have made many people not consider themselves members of society because wealth and power are in the hands of a few. On the other hand, the crisis and conflict have deepened these problems and created more difficult conditions for the citizens. This is while Mali has a young and enthusiastic force that can have a great impact on resolving the crisis and finding a way to positive change. In this regard, effective responses from the government and officials can be a significant help in curbing threats and preventing Mali to change into a scene of international strife.
During the past decade, Mali has experienced multiple crises, including insecurity in the center and north, inter-communal conflicts, socio-political instability, climate change, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting 11.7 million people (Reliefweb, 2022). As reports by the UN news (2022) show, insecurity has expanded, the humanitarian situation has declined seriously, more children are deprived of school, and the country has been affects by the negative impacts of instability. Another problem in the midst of crisis is food insecurity, predicted to affect over 1.8 million people in the current year and indicating a significant increase compared to only a few years ago.
In the meantime, sanctions recently put by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) severe hardships and serious disruption to an economy previously hit by multifaceted security challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, the main manifestations of which are in inflation and food shortages (France24, 2022). Sanctions have mainly affected the general population of Mali, including unemployed youth, displaced population, and marginalized people, who have experienced the consequences of economic loss, escalating the civilian protection crisis and the food and nutrition crisis while also increasing food prices and loss of income (International Peace Institute, 2020).
All these coupled with the conflicts and protests across the country have worsened the conditions. As reported by Reliefweb (2022), the year 2021 faced more extremist attacks than any year before, leading to the highest number of causalities since 2013, following a significant increase in asymmetric attacks targeting convoys, camps, and temporary operating bases. Conflicts have had devastating impacts in civilians and humanitarian situation. In just one instance, according to the UN News (2021), on December, 3, 2021, attacks by extremists near Songho took the lives of 32 civilians, among whom there were 26 women and children. Threatening civilians’ lives has not only led to panic, despair, and insecurity, but has also increased the number of internally displaced people.
Finally, recent demonstrations and opposition by some groups and people to protest the presence of French military forces and France’s policies toward the country have worsened the humanitarian situation. Since late 2021, anti-French military and anti-government protests have increased across the Sahel region following numerous deadly militant attacks on civilians and security forces. However, efforts by regional militaries and their French security partners to prevent the spread of violence have largely failed, increasing the already widespread frustration among the residents concerning the prevalent insecurity (Crisis24, 2021).
Overall, Mali is facing the consequences of poor political and economic governance, resulting in despair, hunger, and poverty (Reliefweb, 2022), and the situation is expected to get worse if the international community does not engage. Any delay in taking serious and prompt actions can lead to more hardships for the general population, along with serious consequences for the country and even its neighbors.
References
Crisis24 (2021). Mali: Activists to demonstrate in Bamako Dec. 19 to protest French presence, from crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2021/12/mali-activists-to-demonstrate-in-bamako-dec-19-to-protest-french-presence
France24 (2022). Hit by sanctions, Mali faces price hikes and shortages of essential goods, from www.france24.com/en/africa/20220124-hit-by-sanctions-mali-faces-price-hikes-and-shortages-of-essential-goods
International Peace Institute (IPI) (2022). ECOWAS Sanctions against Mali Necessary, but May Be Counter-Productive, from theglobalobservatory.org/2022/02/ecowas-sanctions-against-mali-necessary-but-may-be-counter-productive/
Reliefweb (2020). Humanitarian Action for Children 2022 – Mali, from reliefweb.int/report/mali/humanitarian-action-children-2022-mali
UN News (2022). Mali: Security Council warned of ‘endless cycle of instability’, from
news.un.org/en/story/2022/01/1109552