The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and The Republic of Yemen Cosponsored by The United Nations Development Programme and The Government of Japan In Partnership with the Governments of: The Netherlands The United Kingdom The United States And the: Canadian International Development Agency Friedrich Ebert Stiftung International Labour Organization Irish Aid National Endowment for Democracy United States Agency for International Development Westminster Foundation for Democracy World Bank		Mali Country Summary english - french - spanish Mali has a political system based on the French semi-presidential model. During the 1980s, civil unrest increased as members of the press, student groups and other sectors of civil society demanded political reforms. The government was overthrown by a military-led coup, who pledged a return to democratic civilian rule. The political transition that began in 1991 culminated in the recognition of a multiparty system, electoral reform and the adoption of a new constitution. Many of Mali's pre?independence political parties, long banned under one?party rule, resurfaced and participated in 1992 presidential and legislative elections. Economic and Social Indicators Population: GNP: Per Capita GNP: Growth Rate: Illiteracy Rate: : Life Expectancy: 10 million $2.7 billion $260 3.5% 61%-males 77%-females 48-males 52-females The World Bank. World Development Report. Oxford Union Press,1999 Several years ago, Mali embarked on the most ambitious decentralization plan in the Francophone Africa region to date. In consultation with political and civic leaders, the Malian government devised a plan to devolve myriad powers to thousands of communal officials in 701 newly established communes. In June 1998 local elections took place in 19 urban communes around the capitol, with elections in the remaining 682 communes occurring in June 1999. Elected officials at the local level are to have the power to raise taxes and to access national government resources to carry out their local development efforts. Many opposition parties boycotted the local elections, however, highlighting the ongoing political stalemate between the ruling party and opposition groups that surfaced during the 1997 national elections. Despite efforts for a regional and national dialogue among the government, political parties and other civil society organizations, the political situation remains at somewhat of a stalemate and challenges Malian efforts to consolidate the new democratic system. In the post transition period, the government of Mali has pursued economic reforms with the support of the IMF. These include the accelerated privatization and restructuring of state controlled enterprises and greater investment in social development projects. Macro-economic growth accelerated in 1996. Mali's external debt remains high. Political turmoil arising for the problems surrounding the 1997 elections put an additional stress on the government's annual budget, and concern was raised that the situation could deter long-term foreign investment. Repatriation and integration efforts resulting from the settlement of a conflict in the northern part of the country have also added economic strain. [ Introduction ] [ Worldwide Activities ] [ What We Do ] [ Feedback ] [ Jobs/Links/Archives ] [ NDI Home ]