Mali’s relations with other countries have always been focused on issues in the region. Most people think that Mali’s foreign relations are mostly focused on the West African sub-region. Malian internationalism has gone through many different ideas, such as decolonization, federation, pan-Africanism, liberation wars, recalcitrant imperialism, revolutionary Communism, and non-alignment. Since 1960, when Mali gained its independence from France, its governments have moved from being ideologically committed to socialism and aligning themselves with communist states to being more pragmatic. They now look at each issue on its own merits, welcome help from anywhere, and encourage private investment.
Foreign history
Before the Europeans came, the Mali Empire’s relations with the many pagans to the south were tense because of their different religions. When Islam was forced on the gold-producing areas, the output was kept up by making the pagan miners pay tribute and letting them keep doing their traditional heathen things, like cannibalism. When hunting for ivory, magic was used. The was also a place where people were sent to live in exile. Mansa Musa sent a dishonest qadi from Morocco there, and when he came back after four years, he had not eaten anything because it was “not ripe”. Mali was worried about the security of its borders with Mauritania, Niger, Tunisia, and Algeria because of its ongoing problems with the Tuareg group in its north, which has led to attacks inside Mali. Mali’s influence in the region is sometimes only explained by how far it has come in implementing democracy. However, the country remained a “weak state” with a weak government, a small economy, and not enough resources. The country didn’t have the power to affect any of the other countries in the area. Instead, it relied on Nigeria for help with its economy and security.
When it took office in 2002, the government was committed to democracy, economic reform, free market policies, regional integration, and working with other countries to keep peace and fight terrorism.
Diplomatic relationships with other states
Mali’s relationship with the United States got a lot better after 2002. Mali has had very good relations with France for a long time. Mali is also part of groups in its area, such as the African Union. Mali’s main goal is to end conflicts in the region with countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cote d’Ivoire. Mali’s relationship with the West has grown stronger over time. Mali has an ambivalent relationship with France, but good relationships with the U.S. and the West in general. One of the government’s main goals is to keep regional wars from getting out of hand. The African Union includes it. In the north, there are worries about the border not being safe and about terrorism and banditry that happen across the border. Mali is surrounded by seven countries, and its diplomacy has focused on promoting regional and continental integration. It is a founding member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the African Union. Mali’s neighbors have a lot riding on the stability and safety of the country. They must work together, especially in the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism. In February 2014, the leaders of Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Niger came together to form the G5 Sahel. The goal of this group is to make it easier for these countries to work together on security and development issues. With the help of the African Union, a project for a joint force is being done.
Regional groups
Mali is involved in regional groups. It is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic Monetary Union (UEMOA) for regional economic integration. It is also a member of the Liptako-Gourma Authority, which wants to develop the areas of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso that are next to each other. It is also a member of the Niger River Commission, the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILS (OMVS). Even though France, the former colonial power in Mali, still has a lot of power in the country, it is not the only one. Since the 1960s, when Mali was getting its independence from France, Russia has had a close relationship with the country. Russia might have had something to do with the coup in Mali in 2020 since it has been quiet since then. When protesters called for foreign forces to leave earlier this year, they wanted Russian forces to come back because they are not seen as having an imperialist past. Germany, on the other hand, has tried to put itself in a different place than other big powers that want to have a say in the mineral-rich and strategically important country. In Mali, Germany, unlike France, Great Britain, and the United States, has positioned itself as “purely professional” help. Germany, unlike other foreign powers, has not tried to get involved in the politics of the partner government, and local ownership is taken very seriously.
