Mali – The impact of global governance of sovereignty/territorial integrity in Mali.
OVERVIEW
- Significant socio-economic and environmental contrasts
within Mali.
- North of Mali is a vast desert and where the Tuareg are
the dominant ethnic group.
- South of Mali is economically advanced and hosts the
capitol, Bamako, located on the river Niger.
- Third largest producer of gold in Africa.
- Depends largely on foreign aid and migrant remittances.
SOVEREIGNTY/TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY ISSUES.
- In 2013 Malian authorities requested France’s assistance to help defend Mali’s sovereignty
and restore its territorial integrity.
- This was in response to the military coup in 2012, which prompted continued terrorism.
Further challenges to Mali’s sovereignty included;
- International boundaries delineated by European colonial powers, who disrespected the
tribal lands. This resulted in an arbitrary division of the Tuareg ethnic group.
- The Tuareg declared independence for Awazad in the Northeast of Mali, which they
claimed had significant territorial and cultural meaning.
- Fighting in the North occurred to control trade routes and routes used for illegal smuggling.
- Ineffective state of governance in the North, which was marginalised and neglected from
Bamako.
- Other significant ethnic groups aside from the Tuareg in Mali, such as the Songhai who are
prominent in the Gao area.
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE STRATERGIES
- Global and regional institutions have intervened to help resolve the sovereignty and
territorial integrity issues.
- The overall aim is to sustain the global system of sovereign-nation states, and to achieve
this the Malian sovereignty and territorial integrity also needs to be restored.
- In 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali was
created to support the political process and stabilise Mali. It also protected civilians, ensured
security, promoted and protected human rights, and assisted with the reestablishment of the
state authority.
- Over 9000 military personnel, 1000 police, and over 1300 international and local staff are
involved and operate in the main centres of the population. This includes keeping main lines
of communication open and accessible, providing humanitarian assistance, helping IDPs,
and preparing for peaceful and free elections. For instance, ECOWAS and the African Union
are involved in the mediation process and returning power to the civilian administration.
- In 2015, the success of global governance became evident as the government were able to
agree with the Tuareg and provide a degree of autonomy in the North. This included
recognition of locally elected leaders, greater representation of the northern population in
national institutions, as well as providing a greater proportion of the state budget to local
authorities.
- NGOs have also provided assistance to local communities such as;
- Population Services International which includes reproductive health projects.
OVERVIEW
- Significant socio-economic and environmental contrasts
within Mali.
- North of Mali is a vast desert and where the Tuareg are
the dominant ethnic group.
- South of Mali is economically advanced and hosts the
capitol, Bamako, located on the river Niger.
- Third largest producer of gold in Africa.
- Depends largely on foreign aid and migrant remittances.
SOVEREIGNTY/TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY ISSUES.
- In 2013 Malian authorities requested France’s assistance to help defend Mali’s sovereignty
and restore its territorial integrity.
- This was in response to the military coup in 2012, which prompted continued terrorism.
Further challenges to Mali’s sovereignty included;
- International boundaries delineated by European colonial powers, who disrespected the
tribal lands. This resulted in an arbitrary division of the Tuareg ethnic group.
- The Tuareg declared independence for Awazad in the Northeast of Mali, which they
claimed had significant territorial and cultural meaning.
- Fighting in the North occurred to control trade routes and routes used for illegal smuggling.
- Ineffective state of governance in the North, which was marginalised and neglected from
Bamako.
- Other significant ethnic groups aside from the Tuareg in Mali, such as the Songhai who are
prominent in the Gao area.
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE STRATERGIES
- Global and regional institutions have intervened to help resolve the sovereignty and
territorial integrity issues.
- The overall aim is to sustain the global system of sovereign-nation states, and to achieve
this the Malian sovereignty and territorial integrity also needs to be restored.
- In 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali was
created to support the political process and stabilise Mali. It also protected civilians, ensured
security, promoted and protected human rights, and assisted with the reestablishment of the
state authority.
- Over 9000 military personnel, 1000 police, and over 1300 international and local staff are
involved and operate in the main centres of the population. This includes keeping main lines
of communication open and accessible, providing humanitarian assistance, helping IDPs,
and preparing for peaceful and free elections. For instance, ECOWAS and the African Union
are involved in the mediation process and returning power to the civilian administration.
- In 2015, the success of global governance became evident as the government were able to
agree with the Tuareg and provide a degree of autonomy in the North. This included
recognition of locally elected leaders, greater representation of the northern population in
national institutions, as well as providing a greater proportion of the state budget to local
authorities.
- NGOs have also provided assistance to local communities such as;
- Population Services International which includes reproductive health projects.
