Mali Council Approves 125 Billion CFA Advance Credits, Reorganises Border Agencies

Mali's Council of Ministers, chaired by transitional president General Assimi Goita, has authorised 125 billion CFA francs in advance credits within the rectified 2026 state budget. The decree, adopted on the report of the minister of state for economy and finance, will cover additional needs for hospital construction works, other priority structural projects and new measures under personnel expenditure. This move is in accordance with article 22 of organic law No. 2025-038 of 15 August 2025 on finance laws.

The Council also adopted draft texts on the creation, organisation, operating arrangements and organisational framework of the National Directorate of Borders. The directorate was created by ordinance No. 99-004/P-RM of 31 March 1999, with a mission to draw up the elements of the national borders policy and to coordinate and monitor the action of administrative authorities, services and public bodies involved in implementing it. The adopted drafts correct shortcomings linked to weak strategic steering of border management and limited capacity to coordinate and mobilise actors and resources.

The Council adopted a draft decree establishing the National Borders Commission, instituted by decree No. 03-287/P-RM of 15 July 2003 to assist the minister in charge of borders in implementing the national borders policy. The adopted decree extends the commission's missions and broadens its composition, opening membership to other concerned actors. This move aims to strengthen the border management framework and take into account recommendations from the Assises nationales de la Refondation and the Dialogue Inter-Maliens for peace and national reconciliation on border questions.

Under individual measures, the Council appointed Sidiki dit Youssouf Dembele, a journalist and director, as communications adviser at Mali's embassy in Abuja. The minister of territorial administration and decentralisation reported on Mali's participation in the 77th session of the executive committee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees programme, held from 12 to 16 October 2026 in Geneva. The session examined activities carried out over the past year and approved the programme budget.

The minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation reported on the conclusions of the third Russia-Africa Summit, held in Moscow from 28 to 29 October 2026. The transitional president led a large delegation to the summit under the theme "Developing mutually beneficial cooperation and harnessing Africa's potential". The summit adopted a final declaration, a declaration on cooperation in the civil use of artificial intelligence technologies and the Russia-Africa partnership forum action plan for 2027-2029.

The minister of labour, civil service and social dialogue reported on a meeting of ministers in charge of civil service, labour, employment and social protection of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) countries, planned for 13 November 2026 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The meeting is part of the roadmap adopted on 26 February 2026, which aims to strengthen cooperation among AES member states.

The Council also discussed a rise in confirmed dengue cases and climate talks in Antalya. The minister of state for economy and finance, the minister of mines and the minister of industry and trade co-chaired panels on subjects of interest to Mali during the Russia-Africa summit. The transitional president reaffirmed Mali's attachment to the principles of sovereignty, mutual respect and cooperation between states, and stressed the need for African countries to strengthen their economic and financial autonomy.

Key points

• The Council of Ministers approved 125 billion CFA francs in advance credits for the 2026 budget.
• The Council reorganised border agencies, including the National Directorate of Borders and the National Borders Commission.
• The Council discussed various international issues, including the Russia-Africa summit and climate talks in Antalya.