On the occasion of Independence Day, the address to the nation by the president of the Transition, Army General Assimi Goïta, struck a triumphant tone. Between promises of economic growth, boasts of a rising army, and sovereigntist incantations, the executive rolled out its usual framing. Yet a methodical comparison of official statements with realities on the ground reveals deep discrepancies—even glaring contradictions—with the daily lives of Malians.
Security and the claimed military buildup: the myth of territorial control
In his address, the Presidency portrayed the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) as “reorganized, equipped, and victorious,” operating in synergy with partners from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
- The ground reality: The speech omits the extreme security deterioration observed in the center and north of the country. Large-scale attacks by JNIM or separatists—such as the strategic disaster at Tinzawatène or assaults on key garrisons like Dioura and Sévaré—prove that the army struggles to secure vital routes and rural populations.
- The illusion of military sovereignty: While the speech touts “regained autonomy,” operational dependence on the Russian paramilitary contingent Africa Corps (formerly Wagner) has grown, at the cost of heavy financial and mining concessions, to the detriment of a truly republican army.
Economic mirages and opacity around mining revenues
The speech highlights a supposed growth rate above 5% or 6%, driven by domestic resource mobilization and the effects of mining code reforms.
- Suffocating daily inflation: For most citizens in Bamako and the provinces, macroeconomic theory no longer masks soaring prices for basic goods (rice, oil, sugar) and fuel.
- Energy management and power cuts: Although the address mentions an “improvement in electricity supply,” the reality for households and SMEs remains marked by recurrent outages from the national utility EDM-SA, paralyzing the informal economy and local production.
- Questionable mining spin-offs: The redistribution of mining funds touted by authorities contrasts with the massive allocation of public revenues and mining licenses to settle bills from the foreign paramilitary partner.
Dialogue and reconciliation: rhetoric amid purges and political vacuum
The president of the Transition reiterated his call for “reconciliation” and “national cohesion” under the Charter for Peace.
- Closing civic space: This call for unity comes amid unprecedented muzzling of critical voices. Political actors, journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society figures face prosecution, detention, or systematic intimidation whenever they question the management of the Transition.
- Break with northern actors: The unilateral denunciation of prior peace agreements and the all-military option buried inclusive mediation mechanisms, replacing dialogue with a bellicose stalemate.
A self-congratulatory speech disconnected from urgent realities
By prioritizing political communication over fact-checking, the official narrative struggles to hide the cracks in a governance model under strain. Between the self-satisfaction displayed in the salons of Koulouba and the growing insecurity weighing on the provinces, the gap continues to widen between the promises of “Malikura” and the daily experience of the Malian people.
