The transitional government of Mali, under the leadership of President General Assimi GOITA, convened its regular Council of Ministers session on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Koulouba Palace. The meeting resulted in significant legislative actions and strategic communications that signal a profound restructuring of the nation’s security apparatus and a focus on long-term development sovereignty. This analysis expands on the official communiqué to provide context, implications, and a clearer understanding of the state’s strategic direction.
Overhauling Security Architecture: A Response to Evolving Threats
In a move of substantial consequence, the Council adopted two pivotal ordinances that redefine Mali’s domestic security and emergency response frameworks. These reforms are not merely administrative but are direct responses to the country’s complex security landscape, marked by terrorism, cyber threats, and the institutional changes following the 2022 militarization.
1. The Reformed General Directorate of the National Police:
The original 2004 ordinance establishing the police force was deemed inadequate for contemporary challenges. The new draft ordinance introduces critical innovations that blur traditional lines between civil and military functions, reflecting a “total defense” posture. Key expansions include:
- Military Judicial Police & Provost Functions: This formally integrates the police into military justice systems, likely aimed at improving discipline and legal processes within the armed forces and in joint operations.
- Territorial Defense & Reservist Mobilization: The police are now explicitly tasked with roles in national territorial defense, indicating their expected participation in counter-insurgency and stabilization efforts beyond urban policing. Their involvement in mobilizing reservists points to a deeper militarization and a whole-of-society approach to security.
- Combating Cybercrime: While mentioned in the context of evolving crime, this highlights a growing recognition of non-kinetic threats to national stability.
2. The Reformed General Directorate of Civil Protection:
Similarly, the Civil Protection agency, originally focused on disaster response, has been recast with a broader security mandate since its 2022 militarization. The new ordinance codifies this shift, with notable additions:
- Intelligence and Security Missions: The explicit task for Civil Protection to “provide intelligence” and participate in “security missions” is a significant departure from its traditional humanitarian role. This suggests the agency’s personnel and infrastructure (like local response networks) are being leveraged for domestic surveillance and security.
- Crisis Command Clarification: Streamlining command during disasters is crucial for effective response, especially in a country facing climate-induced crises alongside conflict.
- Promotion of Research: This forward-looking element aims to build institutional knowledge on disaster risk reduction and resilience technologies.
Strategic Communications: Charting a Sovereign Path
The Council also reviewed several high-level initiatives, revealing a government focused on technological autonomy, regional alliances, and civic mobilization.
Meteorology as a Pillar of Sovereignty: The new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the National Meteorological Agency is framed not as a simple service upgrade but as a matter of national sovereignty. By generating reliable climate data, Mali seeks to reduce dependency on foreign sources for critical information needed to manage agricultural cycles, natural disasters, and even security operations where weather plays a role. The focus on “impact-based forecasts” is a global best practice, moving from stating what the weather will be to what it will *do*, enabling better preventative action.
Energy and Mining Sovereignty within the AES Confederation: Mali’s participation in the expanded AES (Alliance of Sahel States) meeting with Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Chad underscores a decisive pivot towards regional cooperation outside traditional international frameworks. The goal of operationalizing projects for “energy, mining, and petroleum sovereignty” is a direct effort to gain greater control over strategic natural resources, which are key to economic independence and leverage.
Civic and Agricultural Initiatives: The government is actively promoting civic engagement through youth-oriented programs like “My Public Service, My Civic Commitment” and the Day for State Symbols. These efforts aim to foster national unity and direct citizen participation in public life. Concurrently, the focus on soil health and the massive livestock vaccination campaign (targeting over 83 million animals) highlight the critical link between food security, public health, and national stability. Distributing subsidized fertilizer and equipment directly addresses farmer needs and boosts agricultural productivity.
International Engagement and Health Vigilance: Mali’s report to the African Committee on the Rights of the Child demonstrates continued, albeit selective, international engagement on human rights frameworks. Domestically, the noted increase in dengue cases serves as a reminder of the persistent public health challenges that coexist with security concerns, prompting presidential calls for public adherence to prevention measures.
In conclusion, the December 19 Council of Ministers session reveals a transitional government deeply engaged in institutionalizing the changes of recent years. The security reforms formalize a more militarized, integrated, and expansive model of domestic governance. Simultaneously, the strategic plans in meteorology, energy, and agriculture illustrate a concerted drive for functional sovereignty—building the state’s capacity to control its information, resources, and food supply. These moves collectively sketch the contours of Mali’s intended path forward: a sovereign, secure state resilient to both internal and external pressures.
Bamako, December 19, 2025
The Secretary General of the Government,
Birama COULIBALY
Knight of the National Order