Mali: Billions Paid to Foreign Powers for Security Without a Positive Balance Sheet
For several years, Mali has been the scene of massive foreign interventions, supposed to guarantee security and stability in the country. However, the figures revealed by the Malian Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, highlight a disconcerting reality. In the name of security, foreign powers drained huge sums of money from Mali, without this translating into a positive balance for the country.
According to the statements of Minister Diop, Mali has paid more than 600 billion FCFA per year to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) for 10 years. Moreover, the French military operation Barkhane cost Mali nearly 468 billion FCFA per year for nine years. These figures, totalling a staggering 10,212 billion CFA francs, raise fundamental questions about the efficiency and transparency of these foreign operations.
The main justification for this massive expenditure was the guarantee of security. However, despite years of foreign military presence, the security situation in Mali has not improved significantly. Armed groups and conflicts persist, affecting the daily lives of Malians and undermining their trust in these international forces meant to protect them.
Worse still, this Malian experience seems to be repeated in Niger, where democratically elected leaders face increasing pressure from foreign powers for a similar intervention. The lessons learned from the Malian experience must be taken into account before other countries in the region suffer the same fate.
It is essential to remember that security cannot be purchased at any price. Mali has paid dearly for its security, but it is time to ask whether the high financial cost is really worth it, especially when the results remain unsatisfactory.
