Mali’s National Transition Council (CNT) has approved a comprehensive revision of the country’s national defense and security architecture, marking the first major legislative update in over two decades. The new framework, adopted in July 2026, is set to replace the existing law from November 2004, bringing internal security, cyber defense, and crisis management under a more unified strategic umbrella.
A Response to an Evolving Security Landscape
Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Major General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, presented the bill to CNT councilors, explaining that more than twenty years of implementation experience and a shifting security environment necessitated the update. He noted that various security actors were consulted during the preparatory phase to ensure the reform reflects an inclusive approach.
The 2004 law was not solely focused on military matters; it already outlined roles for internal security, civil defense, local authorities, civil society, and the general population. The new text aims to consolidate and clarify these existing responsibilities rather than invent new ones, adapting them to contemporary threats.
Key Structural Changes
A central element of the reform is the explicit inclusion of internal security and cyber defense as core components of national security. The institutional framework is also being reshaped, with the National Security Council and the National Defense Committee set to replace the Supreme Defense Council and the former Defense Committee. This change is intended to strengthen guidance and coordination around the Head of State.
The reform establishes unity of operational command under the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, specifically for scenarios involving the operational defense of the territory. This structure is designed to enable faster responses when multiple forces are involved in addressing an attack, a major crisis, or a cross-border threat. However, the law does not permanently place the Police, Gendarmerie, National Guard, and Civil Protection under military command.
The new framework also reflects a change that occurred since the 2004 law was enacted: the militarization of the National Police and Civil Protection in 2022. This status is intended to facilitate their integration into a more unified system while preserving their routine public security and rescue duties.
Focus on Territorial Administration and Community Roles
Minister Mohammedine highlighted three priorities before the CNT: strengthening territorial administration, involving traditional authorities in counter-terrorism efforts, and continuing recruitment and equipment programs for the security forces. The reform assigns an expanded role to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization in civil defense, coordinating deconcentrated services, and involving local authorities and the population. The stated goal is to improve alert systems from communes without turning residents into auxiliaries of the public forces.
Addressing Cyber Threats and Integration Efforts
The expansion into cyberspace is being handled through a parallel process. In June, the government adopted texts to create the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI), as outlined in the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2026–2030. The ANSSI is tasked with coordinating responses to cyberattacks and protecting critical infrastructure. The framework distinguishes between cyber defense, which falls under the state’s strategic protection, and broader cybersecurity, which covers administrations, networks, and electronic communications.
The ongoing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR-I) program provides a practical test for inter-agency coordination. On August 4, 254 recruits from various armed groups joined the Armed Forces after completing training in Soufouroulaye. The broader program aims to integrate 2,000 former combatants and support the socio-economic reintegration of 1,000 others. While this operation is not legally derived from the new draft law, it requires collaboration between defense, security, reconciliation, and territorial authorities.
Implementation Will Determine Success
The effectiveness of this new strategy will likely depend less on formal titles and more on the practical procedures that follow. Key factors will include the development of implementing texts, the quality of intelligence sharing, resources allocated to local authorities, the availability of cyber skills, monitoring of integrated combatants, and clear delineation of responsibilities. The reform establishes a chain of command and coordination; its success will be measured by the speed of decision-making, effectiveness on the ground, and the level of trust between institutions, forces, and the population.