Decentralization/Federalism: National Pact
Implementations
Decentralization/Federalism – 1992
Mali adopted a democratic constitution in February 1992 after overthrowing an authoritarian regime. In Chapter XI, the constitution dictates the rules surrounding regional and local government and section 98, it specifies, “municipal governments are [to be] freely administered by their elected councils, within conditions fixed by the law.” The Malian government’s decision to devolve power to the local government units was a response to three influences: external pressure (from the IMF and World Bank), their own initiatives to consolidate political power, and, finally, domestic pressure from the Taureg threat.1 After the signing of the National Pact, President Alpha Oumar Konar visited Northern Mali and inaugurated new administrative structures. The constitutional provision, the provision for special decentralization for the north, and the inauguration of administrative structures in northern Mali can all be considered serious efforts aimed at devolving power.
- Jennifer C. Seely, “A Political Analysis of Decentralisation: Co-opting the Tuareg Threat in Mali.” Journal of Modern African Studies 39, no. 3(2001): 499-524.
Decentralization/Federalism – 1993
In January 1993, the Decentralization Mission (DM) was formed by presidential decree (93-001). This mission was given a mandate to conceive, propose and facilitate decentralization within one year. Ousmane Sy was named director of the twelve-member board. And in February, the first decentralization law (93-008) was passed. The law outlined the rights and responsibilities of territorial collectivities.2 This law devolves power to the national subunits and gives autonomous control over health, education and some infrastructure, within their respective jurisdictions. These units were also allowed to collect revenue in order to facilitate their responsibilities related to health, education and infrastructure.
Decentralization/Federalism – 1994
The DM, originally established in 1993 to facilitate decentralization within one year, was granted an extension to three years by a presidential decree 94-051 in January 1994. The DM was focused on creating new administrative boundaries by giving villages the opportunity to group themselves into their desired communes.
Decentralization/Federalism – 1995
In March 1995, Law 95-022 was passed. This law outlines the role of state functionaries in the administration of the new territorial collectivities. In April, villages began to deliberate on the self-determination of communes. Law 95-034 was passed, which established not only the Territorial Collectivities Code but also the jurisdiction of the new unitsÕ governing bodies at different levels. In May the presidential decree was announced (Decree 95-210) which determined state representation at the level of collectivities.3
The outcome of these decentralization initiatives was the regrouping of the communes into eight regions. Depending on the size of their population, each commune could have a council of 11-15 members popularly elected for five-year terms. Similarly, councils, as provided by the decentralization law (95-034) were to be formed at the circle and regional levels with members drawn from lower collectivity representatives. Though the state was represented through the presence of civil servants at each level, this was a complete transfer of power to the new collectivities.
Decentralization/Federalism – 1996
By 1996, the entire infrastructure related to the devolution of power was finalized through the enactment of various laws and presidential decrees. The DM required all collectivities to be economically viable. And by 1996, 627 rural and 20 urban communes had been self-determined.4 But, elections for decentralized units were yet to be held.
Decentralization/Federalism – 1997
All structures for the collectivities were finalized but the elections for these collectivities were yet to be held. A total of 701 collectivities were finalized.5
- “Mali: Electoral Team Confirms Ruling Party’s Victory in Municipal Elections,” BBC Monitoring Africa, June 28, 1998.
Decentralization/Federalism – 1998
Communal level elections took place in 19 municipalities on June 21, 1998. The voter turnout was low due to the opposition’s boycott of the elections. In the elections, the ruling party, the Alliance for Democracy in Mali, (ADEMA) won 16 out of the 19 municipalities. The elections in other collectivities were scheduled for November.6 But the November elections for the remaining 782 municipalities were postponed again upon requests from 17 parties, asking for extra time to campaign. Elections were rescheduled for May 2 and June 6.7
Decentralization/Federalism – 1999
In May, elections in 492 towns took place in the Kayes, Koulikoro, Sisasso and Segou regions. In these elections, the ruling Alliance for Democracy in Mali (ADEMA) won 4,193 of the 7,124 seats. There were 80 parties but only 30 parties took part in the elections.8 In the remaining towns, elections took place as scheduled on June 6. Following these elections, ethnic clashes occurred between Arab and Kounta communities. These communities fought over the control of Tarkint, a town in the Bourem district;38 people were killed and 13 wounded during the conflict.9
- “Ruling Mali Party Wins Over 4,000 Seats,” Pan African News Agency, May 7, 1999.
- “Ethnic Clashes Kill 46 in Mali,” Panafrican News Agency Daily Newswire, July 19, 1999.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2000
Decentralization was successfully implemented in Mali. Instead of just devolving political and economic power to northern Mali, the government adopted and successfully implemented a decentralization program throughout the country.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2001
Decentralization was successfully implemented in Mali. Instead of just devolving political and economic power to northern Mali, the government adopted and successfully implemented a decentralization program throughout the country.