Mali: Untangling the Politico-Security Knot

In 2020, Mali’s fourth successful military coup installed the leadership of the Comité National pour le Salut du Peuple (CNSP). Although the military takeover reflects an overall weakening of democratic institutions, popular support for the coup highlights Malians’ waning trust in democracy as previously practiced. Many Malians feel that for democracy to succeed, it must first deliver on two urgent priorities: security and an end to pervasive corruption. Since assuming power, the CNSP has made notable, though uneven, progress on both fronts, gaining public support through high-profile anticorruption efforts and reclaiming strategic areas, in addition to other initiatives that have resonated deeply with the population. As a result, many Malians support military rule, having seen improvements in service delivery and security.

Despite these advances, the CNSP still operates within a state structure shaped by colonial legacies. Mali’s centralized governance system, a holdover from French colonial rule, was originally designed for control rather than citizen service, contributing to public perceptions of the military as protectors of the regime rather than the people. The military itself is viewed as an elite class that, through nepotism and self-preservation, prioritizes its own interests. Given these complexities, analysts argue for a strategic pause to the West’s call for democratic elections, allowing time for the CNSP to address these structural issues and rebuild Mali’s institutions on a more sustainable foundation.

This report was made possible by the generous support of the United States Department of Defense.