Rome, November 28, 2017 – The Republic of Mali has joined the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), the only intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law.
Mali’s accession took place during IDLO’s annual meeting of the Assembly of Parties, hosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rome on November 28, 2017.
“Today is a big day for us and our country,” said H.E. Bruno Maiga of Mali. “My thanks and all my gratitude go to IDLO for all they have done in Mali.”
IDLO has been working with the Malian authorities since 2014 to strengthen the criminal justice system in the country. The program piloted an innovative model designed to enable Malian stakeholders at the local, regional and national levels to take ownership over the program’s implementation and lead the institutional reform activities.
IDLO convenes actors across four regions - Gao, Mopti, Segou and Timbuktu – fulfilling a range of roles within the justice chain for consultations to identify local needs, develop strategies and implement solutions.
During his remarks, H.E. Maiga expressed renewed thanks to IDLO specifically for its work on access to justice.
“IDLO’s partnership with Mali is based on a shared notion that justice actors and civil society have to work together to provide context-specific justice,” said IDLO’s Director-General Irene Khan. “Mali’s membership of IDLO reinforces our partnership to empower communities, build effective institutions and increase people’s confidence in the justice system.”
As a new member, the Government of Mali will continue to collaborate with IDLO over the common objectives of peace and justice through institution building.
