When authoritarian regimes systematically silence dissent, shutter independent media outlets, and shroud freedom of expression under heavy censorship, they inevitably face an equally formidable challenge: the economic independence of their citizens. History has repeatedly shown that total control over a nation isn’t complete until the state dictates not just what people think, but also what they eat and how they earn a living.
The military-led transition in Mali has just demonstrated this predictable evolution. Beneath the glossy veneer of an official signing ceremony for a « Charter for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)», the regime is taking a decisive step. What propaganda portrays as a benevolent effort to « structure » the private sector is, in reality, a calculated political maneuver to rein in economic freedom.
Economic control: the final pillar of authoritarianism
In a country where the informal economy sustains over 90% of the population and serves as the primary lifeline for young people and women, the sudden push for regulation is far from innocent. In any dictatorship, the informal sector is seen as a threat—it operates beyond state records, audits, and direct oversight.
By imposing new state-imposed labels, classifications, and compliance requirements on traders, artisans, and transporters, the government isn’t simplifying business—it’s extending its grip. With financial institutions and public funding mechanisms now firmly under political control, this charter lays the groundwork for a dangerous system of favoritism. Soon, access to loans, government contracts, or even the legal right to operate may hinge on political allegiance or silent compliance with the regime’s abuses.
Financing and electricity: the real crises ignored
Official rhetoric claims to address the energy and financial crises choking Mali’s economy. Yet reality tells a different story. World Bank data reveals that nearly 40% of registered businesses cite limited access to credit and chronic power outages as their primary constraints.
No charter, no high-profile signing event, and no public relations stunt will restore electricity or lower interest rates. By fixating on regulatory frameworks instead of repairing crumbling infrastructure, authorities divert attention from their own failure to deliver basic services essential for economic survival.
Freedom doesn’t exist in silos
Autocratic regimes throughout history prove that freedoms are not compartmentalized. Stifle political liberties, and economic freedoms will inevitably follow. By silencing dissent, the regime has already ensured that entrepreneurs crushed under excessive taxes or blackouts cannot voice their grievances publicly. Now, by targeting entrepreneurial freedom under the pretext of « structuring » the economy, the Malian authorities are sealing the last remaining channel of autonomy for citizens: the ability to earn a living without bowing to the whims of military rulers.
Centralized economic control, as seen elsewhere, has consistently led to the collapse of private initiative and the impoverishment of populations. Mali appears to be walking the same path.