France

Four years since the military takeover ousted Mali’s president, economic hardships are deepening, and recurring power outages are crippling businesses, residents report. The August 2020 coup in the conflict-ridden West African country was fueled by widespread frustration with corrupt leaders backed by former colonial ruler France, a growing jihadist insurgency, and economic woes. However, for many, the anticipated improvements remain elusive. “The handling of the electricity situation is concerning. Many Malians are incurring significant losses,” Oumar Diarra, a furniture maker, told media. “The government needs to take action because our suffering is immense.” Mali’s 2020 coup sparked a wave of similar takeovers across the Sahel, including in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, all of whom are battling jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Following a second coup in 2021, Mali’s military leaders delayed their promised elections, postponing them indefinitely for technical reasons. Silversmith Allasana Ag Agaly expressed concern over the far-reaching effects of the power cuts: “When the head of the family returns home after a day without work, it impacts everyone—children, women, and daily life.” The World Bank forecasts Mali’s economic growth to slow to 3.1% this year, down from 3.5% in 2023, with extreme poverty rates rising. Around 90% of Mali’s population now lives in poverty. In addition to ousting French and U.N. troops that had been combating Islamist militants for a decade, Mali’s leaders, like their counterparts in Niger and Burkina Faso, have sought military aid from Russia instead. While many residents endure hardship, some remain optimistic, viewing it as the cost of reclaiming independence from France. “Political independence is meaningless without economic independence,” said Bamako resident Alkady Haidara. “Malians must be patient. Difficult times are part of the journey to a brighter future.”