2012 Edition

Background

The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 by a military coup that ushered in a period of democratic rule. President Alpha KONARE won Mali's first two democratic presidential elections in 1992 and 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE, who was elected to a second term in 2007 elections that were widely judged to be free and fair. Malian returnees from Libya in 2011 exacerbated tensions in northern Mali and Tuareg ethnic militias started a rebellion in January 2012. Low-mid level soldiers, frustrated with the poor handling of the rebellion overthrew TOURE on 22 March. Coup leader Capt. Amadou Haya SANOGO and his junta under the mediation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) returned power to a civilian administration in April with the appointment of interim President Dioncounda TRAORE. Interim Prime Minister Chieck Modibo DIARRA immediately appointed a unity cabinet. The post-coup chaos led to rebels expelling the Malian military from the three northern regions of the country, which remain under the control of a Tuareg militia, Ansar al-Din, and its terrorist group allies. Hundreds of thousands of northern Malians fled the violence to southern Mali and neighboring countries, exacerbating regional food insecurity in host communities. TRAORE was attacked by an angry mob in May and spent two months recovering in Paris, he returned in July. TRAORE and DIARRA announced a second unity government in August and in September called upon the international community to assist them in reclaiming land lost to rebels. SANOGO forced DIARRA to resign in December 2012; Django CISSOKO immediately replaced him and announced a third unity cabinet. The interim government is working with ECOWAS to organize negotiations with Tuareg rebels and the international community to plan a military intervention to retake the three northern regions.

Area

1,240,192 sq km 1,220,190 sq km 20,002 sq km

total

1,240,192 sq km

water

20,002 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Senegal River 23 m Hombori Tondo 1,155 m

highest point

Hombori Tondo 1,155 m

lowest point

Senegal River 23 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

6.55 cu km/yr (9%/1%/90%) 484 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

484 cu m/yr (2000)

total

6.55 cu km/yr (9%/1%/90%)

Geographic coordinates

17 00 N, 4 00 W

Geography - note

landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan

landlocked; divided into three natural zones

the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan

Irrigated land

2,360 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

7,243 km Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km

border countries

Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km

total

7,243 km

Land use

3.76% 0.03% 96.21% (2005)

arable land

3.76%

other

96.21% (2005)

permanent crops

0.03%

Location

interior Western Africa, southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, west of Niger

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding

Natural resources

gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast

Total renewable water resources

100 cu km (2001)

Age structure

47.8% (male 3,718,591/ female 3,689,889) 49.2% (male 3,600,156/ female 4,017,716) 3% (male 235,366/ female 232,748) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

47.8% (male 3,718,591/ female 3,689,889)

15-64 years

49.2% (male 3,600,156/ female 4,017,716)

65 years and over

3% (male 235,366/ female 232,748) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

46.6 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

27.9% (2006)

Death rate

13.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Health expenditures

7.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,400 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

76,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.57 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

108.7 deaths/1,000 live births 115.5 deaths/1,000 live births 101.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

101.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

108.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Life expectancy at birth

53.06 years 51.43 years 54.73 years (2012 est.)

female

54.73 years (2012 est.)

total population

53.06 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 31.1% 43.4% 20.3% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

20.3% (2010 est.)

male

43.4%

total population

31.1%

Major cities - population

BAMAKO (capital) 1.628 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis (2009)

vectorborne disease

malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

540 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

16.4 years 16 years 16.7 years (2012 est.)

female

16.7 years (2012 est.)

male

16 years

total

16.4 years

Nationality

Malian(s) Malian

adjective

Malian

noun

Malian(s)

Net migration rate

-5.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.049 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

15,494,466 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

3.02% (2012 est.)

Religions

Muslim 90%, Christian 1%, indigenous beliefs 9%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 54% of population rural: 32% of population total: 36% of population urban: 46% of population rural: 68% of population total: 54% of population

rural

68% of population

total

54% of population

urban

46% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

8 years 9 years 7 years (2009)

female

7 years (2009)

male

9 years

total

8 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.91 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

6.35 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

36% of total population (2010) 4.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

36% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

8 regions (regions, singular - region), 1 district*; District de Bamako*, Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou (Timbuktu)

Capital

Bamako 12 39 N, 8 00 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

12 39 N, 8 00 W

name

Bamako

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 12 January 1992

Country name

Republic of Mali Mali Republique de Mali Mali French Sudan and Sudanese Republic

conventional long form

Republic of Mali

conventional short form

Mali

former

French Sudan and Sudanese Republic

local long form

Republique de Mali

local short form

Mali

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Mary Beth LEONARD located just off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge just west of the Bamako central district ACI 2000, Rue 243, Porte 297, Bamako [223] 270-2300 [223] 270-2479

chief of mission

Ambassador Mary Beth LEONARD

embassy

located just off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge just west of the Bamako central district

FAX

[223] 270-2479

mailing address

ACI 2000, Rue 243, Porte 297, Bamako

telephone

[223] 270-2300

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Al Maamoun Baba Lamine KEITA 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 [1] (202) 332-6603

chancery

2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Al Maamoun Baba Lamine KEITA

FAX

[1] (202) 332-6603

telephone

[1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950

Executive branch

[Interim] President Dioncounda TRAORE (since 12 April 2012) in the aftermath of the March 2012 coup, deposed President TOURE, in a brokered deal, resigned to facilitate the naming of an interim president and transition back toward democratic rule [Interim] Prime Minister Django CISSOKO (since 11 December 2012) Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 April 2007 (election scheduled for 29 April 2012 delayed indefinitely following the military coup); prime minister appointed by the president Amadou Toumani TOURE reelected president; percent of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 71.2%, Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 19.2%, other 9.6%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

[Interim] President Dioncounda TRAORE (since 12 April 2012)

election results

Amadou Toumani TOURE reelected president; percent of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 71.2%, Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 19.2%, other 9.6%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 April 2007 (election scheduled for 29 April 2012 delayed indefinitely following the military coup); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

[Interim] Prime Minister Django CISSOKO (since 11 December 2012)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Senegal (which has an additional green central star) and the reverse of those on the flag of neighboring Guinea

Government type

republic

Independence

22 September 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Legal system

civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 1 and 22 July 2007 (July 2012 scheduled election indefinitely delayed after the military coup) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADP coalition 113 (ADEMA 51, URD 34, MPR 8, CNID 7, UDD 3, and other 10), FDR coalition 15 (RPM 11, PARENA 4), SADI 4, independent 15

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADP coalition 113 (ADEMA 51, URD 34, MPR 8, CNID 7, UDD 3, and other 10), FDR coalition 15 (RPM 11, PARENA 4), SADI 4, independent 15

elections

last held on 1 and 22 July 2007 (July 2012 scheduled election indefinitely delayed after the military coup)

National anthem

"Le Mali" (Mali) Seydou Badian KOUYATE/Banzoumana SISSOKO adopted 1962; the anthem is also known as "Pour L'Afrique et pour toi, Mali" (For Africa and for You, Mali) and "A ton appel Mali" (At Your Call, Mali)

lyrics/music

Seydou Badian KOUYATE/Banzoumana SISSOKO

name

"Le Mali" (Mali)

National holiday

Independence Day, 22 September (1960)

Political parties and leaders

African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI [Oumar MARIKO, secretary general]; Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda TRAORE]; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP (a coalition of political parties including ADEMA and URD formed in December 2006 to support the presidential candidacy of Amadou TOURE); Alliance for Democratic Change (political group comprised mainly of Tuareg from Mali's northern region); Convergence 2007 [Soumeylou Boubeye MAIGA]; Convergence for the development of Mali or CODEM [Housseyni GUINDO]; Front for Democracy and the Republic or FDR (a coalition of political parties including RPM and PARENA formed to oppose the presidential candidacy of Amadou TOURE); National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Mady KONATE]; Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Tiebile DRAME]; Patriotic Movement for Renewal or MPR [Choguel MAIGA]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Amadou Ali NIANGADOU]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Basir GOLOGO]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY]; Union for Republic and Democracy or URD [Soumaila CISSE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

the army; Islamic authorities; state-run cotton company CMDT

other

the army; Islamic authorities; state-run cotton company CMDT

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats

Budget

$1.391 billion $2.107 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$2.107 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$1.391 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

16% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.3% (31 December 2012 est.) 9% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.421 billion (2012 est.) -$1.301 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$2.725 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.652 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.1 (2001) 50.5 (1994)

Economy - overview

Among the 25 poorest countries in the world, Mali is a landlocked country highly dependent on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. The country's fiscal status fluctuates with gold and agricultural commodity prices and the harvest. Mali remains dependent on foreign aid. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River and about 65% of its land area is desert or semidesert. About 10% of the population is nomadic and about 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The government in 2011 completed an IMF extended credit facility program that has helped the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali is developing its cotton and iron ore extraction industries to diversify foreign exchange revenue away from gold. Mali has invested in tourism but security issues are hurting the industry. Mali experienced economic growth of about 5% per year between 1996-2010, but the global recession and a military coup caused a decline in output in 2012. The interim government slashed public spending in the context of a declining state of security and declining international aid.

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 514.1 (2012 est.) 471.87 (2011 est.) 495.28 (2010 est.) 472.19 (2009) 493.51 (2007)

Exports

$2.557 billion (2012 est.) $2.453 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

cotton, gold, livestock

Exports - partners

China 31%, South Korea 14.5%, Indonesia 12.2%, Thailand 6.3%, Malaysia 5.4%, Bangladesh 5% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

36.9% 23.4% 39.7% (2012 est.)

agriculture

36.9%

industry

23.4%

services

39.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,100 (2012 est.) $1,100 (2011 est.) $1,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-4.5% (2012 est.) 2.7% (2011 est.) 5.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$9.603 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$17.35 billion (2012 est.) $18.17 billion (2011 est.) $17.69 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.5% 25.8% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

25.8% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

3.5%

Imports

$3.209 billion (2012 est.) $3.026 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners

Senegal 14.9%, France 11.6%, China 8.2%, Cote dIvoire 6.3% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.5% (2012 est.) 2.9% (2011 est.)

Labor force

3.241 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

80% 20% (2005 est.)

agriculture

80%

industry and services

20% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

36.1% (2005 est.)

Public debt

23.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 23.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.401 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.929 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$77.44 million (31 December 2012 est.) $48 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$2.556 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.351 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.938 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.669 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.382 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.156 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

30% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

893,700 Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

483.6 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

48.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

51.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

304,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

520 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,994 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,568 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

national public TV broadcaster; 2 privately-owned companies provide subscription services to foreign multi-channel TV packages; national public radio broadcaster supplemented by a large number of privately-owned and community broadcast stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.ml

Internet hosts

437 (2012)

Internet users

249,800 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic system unreliable but improving; increasing use of local radio loops to extend network coverage to remote areas fixed-line subscribership remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has increased sharply to about 70 per 100 persons country code - 223; satellite communications center and fiber-optic links to neighboring countries; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Indian Ocean)

domestic

fixed-line subscribership remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has increased sharply to about 70 per 100 persons

general assessment

domestic system unreliable but improving; increasing use of local radio loops to extend network coverage to remote areas

international

country code - 223; satellite communications center and fiber-optic links to neighboring countries; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Indian Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

104,700 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.822 million (2011)

Airports

21 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

total

8

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

13

under 914 m

3 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Koulikoro

Railways

593 km 593 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

593 km

Roadways

18,912 km 3,597 km 15,315 km (2004)

total

18,912 km

unpaved

15,315 km (2004)

Waterways

1,800 km (downstream of Koulikoro; low water levels on the River Niger cause problems in dry years; in the months before the rainy season the river is not navigable by commercial vessels) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

2,848,412 2,981,106 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,981,106 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,848,412

Manpower fit for military service

1,825,779 1,968,563 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,968,563 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,825,779

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

158,031 159,733 (2010 est.)

female

159,733 (2010 est.)

male

158,031

Military branches

Malian Armed Forces: Army (Armee de Terre), Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM), National Guard (Garde National du Mali) (2008)

Malian Armed Forces

Army (Armee de Terre), Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM), National Guard (Garde National du Mali) (2008)

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2010)

Disputes - international

demarcation is underway with Burkina Faso

Refugees and internally displaced persons

12,442 (Mauritania) (2011) 228,918 (Tuareg rebellion in 2012) (2013)

IDPs

228,918 (Tuareg rebellion in 2012) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

12,442 (Mauritania) (2011)

Trafficking in persons

Mali is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; women and girls are forced into domestic servitude, agricultural labor, and support roles in gold mines, as well as subjected to sex trafficking; Malian boys are found in conditions of forced labor in agricultural settings, gold mines, and the informal commercial sector, as well as forced begging both within mali and neighboring countries; Malians and other Africans who travel through Mali to Mauritania, Algeria, or Libya, in hopes of reaching Europe are particularly at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking; men and boys, primarily of Songhai ethnicity, are subjected to the longstanding practice of debt bondage in the salt mines of Taoudenni in northern Mali; some members of Mali's black Tamachek community are subjected to traditional slavery-related practices, and this involuntary servitude reportedly has extended to their children Tier 2 - the Government of Mali does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government acknowledged that human trafficking is a problem in Mali, but it did not demonstrate significant efforts to prosecute and convict trafficking offenders; Mali was not placed on Tier 3 because the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is devoting sufficient resources to implement that plan (2012)

current situation

Mali is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; women and girls are forced into domestic servitude, agricultural labor, and support roles in gold mines, as well as subjected to sex trafficking; Malian boys are found in conditions of forced labor in agricultural settings, gold mines, and the informal commercial sector, as well as forced begging both within mali and neighboring countries; Malians and other Africans who travel through Mali to Mauritania, Algeria, or Libya, in hopes of reaching Europe are particularly at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking; men and boys, primarily of Songhai ethnicity, are subjected to the longstanding practice of debt bondage in the salt mines of Taoudenni in northern Mali; some members of Mali's black Tamachek community are subjected to traditional slavery-related practices, and this involuntary servitude reportedly has extended to their children

tier rating

Tier 2 - the Government of Mali does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government acknowledged that human trafficking is a problem in Mali, but it did not demonstrate significant efforts to prosecute and convict trafficking offenders; Mali was not placed on Tier 3 because the government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is devoting sufficient resources to implement that plan (2012)