In 2012, a secessionist rebellion cut off northern Mali and imposed a harsh form of Shari’a law in the territories it controlled. Following the defeat of the insurgency, Mali has been striving to reassert statehood. But an effective redeployment of state institutions in the North, including a functional criminal justice system, has yet to take place. In addition to infrastructure problems, insecurity, endemic corruption, and a general shortage of capacity and resources all converge to limit access to justice. There is an overall lack of accountability. Both by tradition and due to the dysfunctional state of the courts, most Malians rely on customary law structures. Yet these often fail to comply with either domestic law or international standards. IDLO has been supporting efforts to improve access to lawful and effective criminal law dispute resolution mechanisms. We also support Malian civil society organizations and other non-state actors in monitoring and evaluating progress.
It is only 25 years ago that Mali initiated its transition from dictatorship to a more inclusive democracy and a more equal society. In many ways it is, therefore, no great surprise that the country has not been able to either transcend personalised power politics or overcome critical socio-economic cleavages.
IDLO has concentrated its efforts on the city of Mopti. As well as an important commercial center and Mali's country's main port, Mopti forms both the geographic and symbolic link between the country's North and South. During the conflict, it served as a frontline destination for displaced people.
Mali’s crisis of 2012-2013, in which two-thirds of the country was occupied by Tuareg rebels and Islamic extremists, was accompanied by brutal rule in the North and a near-collapse of the state. Many victims have yet to see redress for the abuses they suffered; justice remains elusive.
 Évènement
1 Juil 2021 |
