FBA in Mali – an overview

The conflict in Mali has been ongoing since 2012, when Tuareg rebels and radical Islamists joined forces to take control of the northern part of the country. In 2015, a peace agreement was signed between the rebels and the government. However, following two military coups in 2020 and 2021, the governing military regime annulled the agreement.

From 2013 to 2023, the UN maintained a peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, which was considered the most dangerous UN mission in the world due to its high number of fatalities. MINUSMA was tasked with stabilizing the country, protecting civilians from violence, and helping to reestablish government control across Mali.

FBA’s mission in Mali concluded at the turn of the year 2024–2025. Throughout 2024, we worked to phase out our strategic activities in collaboration with partner organizations in the country.

Between 2016 and 2024, FBA focused on the following areas as part of Sweden’s strategy for development cooperation with Mali:

Women, peace and security
Gender-based violence is pervasive in Mali, and exacerbated by the conflict. Nevertheless, women are largely excluded from the peace process. In cooperation with UN Women, FBA supported the drafting of Mali’s new national action plan for women, peace and security. FBA also funded a study on women’s access to the Mali peace process.

Dialogue and peace mediation
FBA offered training and expert advice for key actors involved in the peace process. In addition, FBA developed a dialogue and mediation handbook for the Malian Ministry of Reconciliation and the regional teams belonging to it.

Security sector reform
The presence of state security actors, such as the military and police, is weak in the northern and central parts of Mali. FBA funded a study done by the Malian National Institute of Statistics, on the perception of security among 15,000 households in various parts of the country. The results of the study provide a baseline for Malian authorities in the design of reforms of the security sector.

Click here to read the entire strategy for Sweden’s development cooperation with Mali 2021–2025.

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FBA new important contributor to Sweden’s development cooperation strategy for Mali

Intensified support to the peace process in Mali

International commitment important in conflict-affected Mali

Photo: UN Photo/Harandane Dicko