Mali

USAID's Strategy in Mali

Poor rainfall and instability in its main trading partner, Côte d'Ivoire, were the two principal factors holding back economic growth in Mali during 2003. GDP growth slowed to 3.2 percent compared with 4.4 percent in 2002. Production of grain and cotton fell 8 percent and 26 percent respectively from the previous year and pockets of food insecurity emerged in regions particularly hard hit by drought.

Despite concerted donor attention and assistance provided over 40 years, Mali remains one of the poorest nations. According to the 2003 United Nations Human Development Index, Mali ranked 172 out of 175 countries - down from 164 in 2002. A number of key indicators of social well-being worsened during the period 1996-2001. Among these are: maternal mortality (582 per 100,000 versus 577 per 100,000); fertility (6.8 versus 6.7); and children underweight for age (38 percent versus 30 percent). Marginal improvements were noted with respect to the indicators for adult illiteracy, life expectancy, infant mortality, and children attending school, although they still remain among the worst in the world.

In spite of its problems, Mali stands out as a stable democracy in the midst of the troubled West African region. Local elections were held early in 2004 - another important milestone in its far-reaching decentralization plan. Unfortunately the vast open territory in the north of Mali presents potential troubling security threats. Armed gangs have the ability to roam through the porous borders with Algeria, Niger, and Mauritania virtually unchecked. These conditions have the potential to facilitate increased terrorist activities in the north. Mali's commitment to democracy, its openness to economic integration in West Africa, and its willingness to contribute peacekeeping forces have played an important role in U.S. and international efforts to bring stability to the region. Moreover, it is a predominantly Muslim country that is allied with the United States in the war on terrorism.

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