After two decades under the 2004 National Defense Law, Mali is set to implement a sweeping transformation in its defense and security architecture. The new framework, approved by the National Transitional Council in July 2026, expands its scope to include internal security, cybersecurity, and comprehensive crisis management. This legislative overhaul redefines strategic decision-making, operational command, and the roles of territorial actors.
The initiative replaces the outdated 2004 framework (Law n°04-051) following its adoption by the 125 voting members of the CNT. Speaking before the council, General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, Minister of Security and Civil Protection, highlighted the necessity of this reform, citing over twenty years of application and the rapidly evolving security landscape. He emphasized that security stakeholders were actively involved in the preparatory process to ensure an inclusive approach.
The 2004 framework, though initially focused on military matters, already addressed internal security, civil defense, and the participation of local authorities, civil society, and communities. Under the previous system, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces led military operations and held authority over certain security forces during territorial defense operations.
Enhancing national security through integrated governance
The reform doesn’t introduce new responsibilities but consolidates and clarifies existing ones while adapting them to modern threats. Internal security and cybersecurity are now explicitly recognized as critical components of national security. The National Security Council and the National Defense Committee are replacing the former Superior Defense Council and Defense Committee to strengthen presidential oversight and coordination.
The reform establishes unified operational command under the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces for territorial defense, enabling rapid responses to attacks, major crises, or cross-border threats. However, it does not place the Police, Gendarmerie, National Guard, and Civil Protection under permanent military command.
An important evolution since 2022 is the militarization of the National Police and Civil Protection. This change facilitates their integration into a unified security apparatus while preserving their core missions in public safety and emergency response.
Territorial administration and community engagement
General Daoud Aly Mohammedine outlined three key priorities during his address to the CNT: strengthening territorial administration, leveraging traditional leadership in counterterrorism efforts, and continuing the recruitment and equipping of security forces. This aligns with the expanded role assigned to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, which now oversees civil defense, coordination of decentralized services, engagement with local authorities, and community mobilization.
The goal is to establish an early warning system rooted in local municipalities without transforming civilians into auxiliary forces. This approach aims to enhance situational awareness and rapid response capabilities at the grassroots level.
Cybersecurity: a strategic pillar of national defense
The reform extends beyond traditional security domains to include the cyber realm. In June, the government enacted legislation establishing the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI), as outlined in the 2026-2030 National Cybersecurity Strategy. The ANSSI is tasked with coordinating responses to cyberattacks and safeguarding critical infrastructure and services. While cyberdefense falls under the strategic protection mandate of the state, cybersecurity encompasses broader protections for government networks, communications, and digital ecosystems.
The Defense and Reconciliation Integration (DDR-I) program serves as a practical test for inter-agency coordination. On August 4, 254 recruits from various armed groups completed training in Soufouroulaye and joined the Armed Forces. The program aims to integrate 2,000 former combatants and support the socio-economic reintegration of another 1,000. While not directly tied to the new legislative framework, this initiative underscores the need for seamless collaboration among defense, security, reconciliation, and local authorities.
The path to implementation and trust
The success of this new strategy hinges not on the titles of the reforms but on their execution. Implementation guidelines, intelligence sharing, local capacity-building, cyber expertise, integration monitoring, and clearly defined roles will be decisive. The reform establishes a critical chain of command, and its effectiveness will be measured by the speed of decision-making, on-the-ground coordination, and the trust between institutions, security forces, and communities.
