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Politics of Mali

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The politics of Mali take place within the context of a military junta that has been in power since the 2020 and 2021 military coups.[1] Mali was a secular multi-party constitutional republic, in which the president of Mali was the head of state[2] and the prime minister was the head of government.[3] Mali experienced increasing democratization and civil liberties from the early 1990s until the 2012 Tuareg rebellion and subsequent military coup.[4][5] Though constitutional rule was restored, there was increasing instability, culminating in the 2020 and 2021 coups.[4] The Malian military junta, consisting of five army generals,[1] announced a "Charter of Transition" before enacting a new constitution in 2023.[6] Although there was a constitutional separation of executive, legislative, and judicial powers, in practice the political system is dominated by the junta.[1]

The original constitution, adopted in 1992,[7] identifies eight institutions of the state; including the presidency; the government; the National Assembly; the Supreme, Constitutional, and High Courts; the High Council of Territorial Units; and the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council.[8] Executive power is held by the government,[9] and it was responsible to the National Assembly,[10] which held legislative power.[11] The government, consisting of the Council of Ministers, is led by the prime minister, appointed and presided over by the president.[12] The constitution also provided for an independent judiciary.[13] The 2023 constitution still guarantees civil liberties on paper,[1] but it changed Mali's political system from a semi-presidential system to a presidential system, in which the government is responsible to the president rather than the legislature.[14]

In August 2018, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was re-elected for a new five-year term after winning the second round of the election against Soumaïla Cissé.[15] However, in August 2020 a coup d'état ousted the president and prime minister. On 25 September 2020, retired colonel and former defence minister Bah Ndaw was sworn in as Mali's interim president.[16] On 15 April 2021, the transitional administration announced that legislative and presidential elections will be held on 27 February 2022.[17] On 7 June 2021, Col. Assimi Goïta was sworn into office as the new interim president.[18] On 30 December 2021, the transitional administration announced plans to delay the election by six months to five years in part because of security issues.[19] On 14 May 2025, the military junta ordered the dissolution of all political parties and organizations.[20] On 4 July 2025 a law was passed by the National Transitional Council that gave Goïta a five year term that is renewable indefinitely without elections.[21]

Executive branch

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Main office-holders
Office Name Party Since
Interim President Assimi Goïta Military 25 May 2021
Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga Military 21 November 2024

The executive branch consists of the President of Mali and the Government of Mali, led by the Prime Minister of Mali.

Under Mali's 1992 constitution, the president is chief of state and commander in chief of the armed forces. The president is elected to 5-year terms by direct popular vote. He is limited to two terms.

The Prime Minister of Mali is the head of government. They are appointed by the president[22] and are responsible for the appointment of the other ministers of government.[23]

The president chairs the Council of Ministers (the prime minister and currently[when?] 27 other ministers), which adopts a proposals for laws submitted to the National Assembly for approval of them.

Legislative branch

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The National Assembly is the sole legislative arm of the Malian government. It has 160 members, who are elected directly for a five-year term by party list. 147 members are elected in single-seat constituencies and 13 members elected by Malians abroad. Representation is apportioned according to the population of administrative districts.

The Assembly meets for two regular sessions each year. It debates and votes on legislation proposed either by one of its members or by the government; it also has the right to question government ministers about government actions and policies. Eight political parties, aggregated into four parliamentary groups, are represented in the Assembly. ADEMA currently[when?] holds the majority; minority parties are represented in all committees and in the Assembly directorate.

Political parties and elections

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Main articles: List of political parties in Mali and Elections in Mali

Mali's constitution provides for a multi-party democracy, with the only restriction being a prohibition against parties based on ethnic, religious, regional, or gender lines. In addition to those political parties represented in the National Assembly, others are active in municipal councils.

Presidential elections

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Main article: 2018 Malian presidential election
CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Ibrahim Boubacar KeïtaRally for Mali1,331,13241.701,791,92667.16
Soumaïla CisséUnion for the Republic and Democracy567,67917.78876,12432.84
Aliou Boubacar Diallo [fr]Democratic Alliance for Peace256,4048.03
Cheick Modibo DiarraCMD236,0257.39
Housseini Amion GuindoConvergence for the Development of Mali124,5063.90
Oumar MarikoAfrican Solidarity for Democracy and Independence74,3002.33
Modibo KoneMali Kanu Movement72,9412.29
Choguel Kokalla MaïgaPatriotic Movement for Renewal68,9702.16
Harouna SankareHarouna Movement57,4061.80
Mamadou Sidibé [fr]Party for the Restoration of Malian Values54,2741.70
Modibo SidibéAlternative Forces for Renewal and Emergence45,4531.42
Kalfa SanogoAlliance for Democracy in Mali (unofficial)38,8921.22
Mamadou Igor Diarra [fr]36,1241.13
Modibo KadjokeAlliance for Mali30,4790.95
lMoussa Sinko Coulibaly [fr]Independent30,2320.95
Adama KaneIndependent26,0840.82
Daba DiawaraParty for Independence, Democracy and Solidarity22,9910.72
Mountaga TallNational Congress for Democratic Initiative20,3120.64
Dramane DembéléAlliance for Democracy in Mali18,7370.59
Mohamed Aly BathilyAssociation for Mali17,7120.55
Hamadoun TouréIndependent17,0870.54
Yeah SamakeParty for Civic and Patriotic Action16,6320.52
Mamadou TraoreMIRIA15,5020.49
Madame Djeneba N'diayeIndependent12,2750.38
Total3,192,149100.002,668,050100.00
Valid votes3,192,14993.442,668,05096.89
Invalid/blank votes224,0696.5685,6483.11
Total votes3,416,218100.002,753,698100.00
Registered voters/turnout8,000,46242.708,000,46234.42
Source: Constitutional Court

Parliamentary elections

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Main article: 2013 Malian parliamentary election
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Rally for Mali708,71629.3566+55
Union for the Republic and Democracy546,62822.6417–17
Alliance for Democracy in Mali277,51711.4916–35
Alternative Forces for Renewal and Emergence881,61336.516New
Convergence for the Development of Mali5New
African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence5+1
National Congress for Democratic Initiative4–3
Party for National Rebirth3–1
Party for Economic Development and Solidarity3New
Patriotic Movement for Renewal3–5
Alliance for Solidarity in Mali3New
Democratic Alliance for Peace2New
Social Democratic Convention2New
Movement for the Independence, Renaissance, and Integration of Africa20
Malian Union for the African Democratic Rally2+1
Change Party1New
Union for Democracy and Development1–2
Party for the Restoration of Malian Values1New
Union of Patriots for Renewal1New
Action Convergence for the People0–
African Convergence for Renewal0–
African Front for Mobilisation and Alternation0–
African Movement for Democracy and Integration0–
African Social Democratic Party0–
Alliance for Mali0–
Alliance for the Promotion and Development of Mali0–
Alliance of Convinced Nationalists for Development0–
Alternative Bloc for African Renewal0–
Alternation Bloc for Renewal, Integration, and African Cooperation0–
Bolen Mali Deme Ton0–
Citizens' Party for Revival0–
Dambe Mali Alliance0–
Democratic Action for Change and Alternation in Mali0–
Democratic Consultation0–
Ecologist Party of Mali0–
Future and Development in Mali0–
Jamaa0–
Liberal Democratic Party0–
Luminary Party for Africa0–
Malian Rally for Labour0–
Movement for a Common Destiny0–
Movement for Democracy and Development0–
Movement of Patriots for Social Justice0–
Movement of the Free, United and Combined Populations0–
National Alliance for Construction0–
National Convention for African Solidarity0–
National Union for Renewal0–
Party for Civic and Patriotic Action0–
Party for Development and Social0–
Party for Education, Culture, Health and Agriculture0–
Party for Independence, Democracy and Solidarity0–
Party for Solidarity and Progress0–
Party for the Difference in Mali0–
Party of Democratic Renewal and Labour0–
Rally for Change0–
Rally for Democracy and Progress0–
Rally for Development and Solidarity0–
Rally for Education about Sustainable Development0–
Rally for Justice and Progress0–
Rally for Labour Democracy0–
Rally for Social Justice0–
Rally for the Development of Mali0–
Rally of the Republicans0–
Sikikafo Oyedamouyé0–
Social Democratic Party0–
Socialist Party0–
Socialist and Democratic Party0–
Synergy for a New Mali0–
Union for a People's Movement for Reform0–
Union for Democracy and Alternation0–
Union for Peace and Democracy0–
Union for the Development of Mali0–
Union of Democratic Forces0–
Union of Patriots for the Republic0–
Union of the Movements and Alliances for Mali0–
Independents4–11
Total2,414,474100.00147–13
Valid votes2,414,47495.23
Invalid/blank votes121,0414.77
Total votes2,535,515100.00
Registered voters/turnout6,564,02638.63
Source: Ministry of the Interior[permanent dead link], IPU, Adam Carr, Abamako

In the second round, out of 5,951,838 registered voters, 2,221,283 cast a vote - with 2,122,449 being valid - totalling a 37.32% turnout, according to the Constitutional Court[24]

Judicial branch

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Mali's legal system is based on codes inherited at independence from France. New laws have been enacted to make the system conform to Malian life, but French colonial laws not abrogated still have the force of law. The constitution provides for the independence of the judiciary.

The Ministry of Justice appoints judges and supervises both law enforcement and judicial functions. The Supreme Court has both judicial and administrative powers. Under the constitution, there is a separate constitutional court and a high court of justice with the power to try senior government officials in cases of treason.

Administrative divisions

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Main article: Regions of Mali

Administratively, Mali is divided into ten regions (Gao, Ménaka, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Ségou, Sikasso, Tombouctou, Taoudénit) and the capital district of Bamako, each under the authority of an elected governor. Each region consists of five to nine districts (or Cercles), administered by Prefects. Cercles are divided into communes, which, in turn, are divided into villages or quarters.

A decentralisation and democratisation process began in the 1990s with the establishment of 702 elected municipal councils, headed by elected mayors, and previously appointed officials have been replaced with elected officials, which culminates in a National council of local officials. Other changes included greater local control over finances, and the reduction of administrative control by the central government.

Foreign relations

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Further information: Foreign relations of Mali

Mali is member of ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "BTI 2026 Mali Country Report". Bertelsmann Transformation Index. 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  2. ^ Constitution of Mali (1992), Article 29.
  3. ^ Constitution of Mali (1992), Article 55.
  4. ^ a b "Mali: Freedom in the World 2023". Freedom House. 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  5. ^ Shankar, Priyanka (27 April 2026). "Timeline: How Mali went from democracy beacon to instability". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  6. ^ "BTI 2026 Mali Country Report". Bertelsmann Transformation Index. 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  7. ^ "The Electoral System - Mali - Trans-Saharan Elections Project". University of Florida. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  8. ^ Constitution of Mali (1992), Article 25.
  9. ^ Constitution of Mali (1992), Article 53.
  10. ^ Constitution of Mali (1992), Article 54.
  11. ^ Constitution of Mali (1992), Article 70.
  12. ^ Constitution of Mali (1992), Articles 38, 39, 55.
  13. ^ Constitution of Mali (1992), Article 81.
  14. ^ "Mali - July 2023". International IDEA. 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  15. ^ "Incumbent President Keita wins re-election in Mali". France 24. 16 August 2018. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  16. ^ "Bah Ndaw sworn in as Mali's transitional president following coup". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Mali to hold elections next February following post-coup transition". Reuters. 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  18. ^ "Mali's military leader Goita sworn in as transitional president". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Mali Conference Recommends Election Delay of Up to 5 Years". VOA. 30 December 2021. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  20. ^ Njie, Paul (14 May 2025). "Mali junta dissolves all political parties in latest opposition crackdown". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  21. ^ "Mali military chief granted renewable five year presidential term". Al Jazeera. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  22. ^ Mali, archived from the original on 16 January 2024, retrieved 13 August 2023
  23. ^ Mali, archived from the original on 14 August 2023, retrieved 13 August 2023
  24. ^ Second round data (page 492)

Sources

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"Constitution of Mali 1992". Comparative Constitutions Project. Translated by Anna, Daniel G. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

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Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Politics_of_Mali&oldid=1351917445#Judicial_branch"