The Mali government has rolled out a groundbreaking defense and security overhaul, marking its first major update in over two decades. The new framework expands the original 2004 defense law to include internal security, cyber defense, and comprehensive crisis management, reflecting the country’s evolving security landscape.
Endorsed by the National Transitional Council (NTC) in July 2026, the reform replaces the outdated Law No. 04-051 of November 23, 2004, pending official promulgation. Speaking to NTC members, General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, Minister of Security and Civil Protection, emphasized that two decades of implementation and shifting security dynamics necessitated this revision. He highlighted that security stakeholders were actively involved in drafting the reform to ensure a collaborative approach.
The 2004 framework, though initially focused on military defense, already encompassed internal security, civil defense, and the participation of local authorities, civil society, and communities. The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces led military operations and, in cases of territorial defense, held authority over select security forces.
Strengthening national security through unified command
The reform doesn’t reinvent existing responsibilities but consolidates and modernizes them to address today’s threats. Internal security and cyber defense are now explicitly recognized as core components of national security. The National Security Council and National Defense Committee replace the former Higher Defense Council and Defense Committee, aiming to streamline decision-making and coordination under the President’s leadership.
The reform also enshrines a unified operational command, centered on the Chief of the General Staff, to enhance response times during attacks, major crises, or cross-border threats. However, this does not mean placing the Police, Gendarmerie, National Guard, or Civil Protection under permanent military control.
Since 2022, the National Police and Civil Protection have been militarized, a change that facilitates their integration into broader security frameworks while preserving their public safety and emergency response roles.
General Daoud Aly Mohammedine outlined three key priorities: bolstering local administration, involving traditional leaders in counter-terrorism efforts, and continuing the recruitment and equipping of security forces. This aligns with the expanded role of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, which now oversees civil defense, interdepartmental coordination, local governance, and community engagement. The goal is to establish a seamless alert system from municipalities without turning civilians into auxiliary forces.
Cyber defense takes center stage in the reform
The reform introduces a dedicated cybersecurity component, following the government’s adoption in June of legislation creating the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI). Aligned with the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2026–2030, the ANSSI will coordinate responses to cyberattacks and protect critical infrastructure. Cyber defense is now a strategic priority, while cybersecurity extends to government networks, public services, and electronic communications.
Meanwhile, the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Integration (DDR-I) program serves as a real-world test of inter-agency coordination. On August 4, 254 former combatants from various armed groups were integrated into the Armed Forces after completing training in Soufouroulaye. The program aims to integrate 2,000 ex-fighters and reintegrate 1,000 others socioeconomically. While not legally tied to the new law, this initiative underscores the need for seamless collaboration among defense, security, reconciliation, and local authorities.
The success of the reform hinges not on terminology but on execution. Critical factors include implementation decrees, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, local governance capabilities, cyber expertise, post-integration monitoring, and clearly defined roles. The new framework establishes a chain of command whose effectiveness will be measured by decision-making speed, on-ground coordination, and trust among institutions, security forces, and the public.
