Mali Struggles with Urban Anarchy in Bamako

The city of Bamako, Mali's capital, has long been plagued by urban anarchy, with authorities repeatedly struggling to maintain order in its public spaces. Despite periodic efforts to clear out illegal installations and debris, the city's streets and sidewalks continue to be overrun with makeshift stalls, abandoned vehicles, and garbage. The situation has significant consequences for residents, including reduced mobility, health risks, and economic stagnation.

The issue is not a new one, with successive administrations attempting to tackle the problem over several decades. Previous governors, including Yaya Bagayoko in the 1980s, Abdoulaye Sacko in 1991, and Ami Kane in 2016, have launched initiatives to clear out illegal installations and restore order to the city's streets. However, these efforts have often been short-lived, with the city's residents and businesses rapidly adapting to the new landscape and finding ways to circumvent the rules.

One notable example of the challenges faced by Bamako's authorities is the 2016 operation led by Ami Kane, which resulted in the demolition of thousands of makeshift installations and the displacement of around 6,000 traders. Despite the initial success of the operation, the city's streets rapidly returned to their previous state, with many of the installations being rebuilt or replaced.

More recent efforts to address the issue have included two special operations launched by the ANASER in 2026, one in April and another in June, aimed at clearing out illegal installations and removing abandoned vehicles. However, these efforts have had limited impact, and the city's public spaces continue to be plagued by disorder and neglect.

The current governor of Bamako, Abdoulaye Coulibaly, has announced plans to launch a new operation aimed at restoring order to the city's public spaces. However, experts warn that simply repeating previous efforts will not be enough to achieve lasting results. Instead, a more nuanced approach is needed, one that takes into account the complex economic and social factors driving the city's urban anarchy.

One potential solution is the creation of citizen-led urban watch brigades, which could be established in neighborhoods and tasked with monitoring the city's public spaces and reporting any instances of illegal activity. These brigades could be supported by municipal authorities and equipped with technology such as drones to help them monitor and manage the city's spaces more effectively.

Ultimately, addressing Bamako's urban anarchy will require a sustained and multi-faceted approach that involves not only the authorities but also the city's residents and businesses. By working together, it may be possible to create a more orderly and sustainable urban environment that benefits everyone.

Key points

• The creation of citizen-led urban watch brigades could provide a new approach to addressing Bamako's urban anarchy.
• Previous efforts to clear out illegal installations and restore order to Bamako's streets have often been short-lived.
• The issue of urban anarchy in Bamako is driven by complex economic and social factors, including poverty, unemployment, and a lack of effective municipal regulation.