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This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the interconnected dynamics of violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and local conflicts in the Liptako-Gourma region, spanning Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Based on approximately 800 interviews, the study argues that extremist groups are pragmatic actors that exploit local economic vulnerabilities, governance failures, and community tensions to sustain their operations and expand their influence.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies challenges the conventional narrative that youth unemployment and religious fanaticism are the primary drivers of young people joining armed jihadist groups in Mali. Based on interviews with 63 previously involved youths, the study identifies a complex interplay of 15 different factors—including protection, coercion, and state absence—and argues that generic 'radicalisation' frameworks often miss the local realities of engagement.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the proliferation of armed groups in Mali following the 2012 crisis, examining the motivations behind their creation, the dynamics of their alliances, and the challenges facing the implementation of the June 2015 peace agreement.

The March 2015 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report details the African Union's efforts to address security crises in Mali, the Lake Chad Basin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia, emphasizing the need for coordinated action between African and international partners.

This policy brief evaluates the capacity-building efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), specifically regarding the Malian police. Based on field research from May 2014, the authors argue that the mission is struggling due to inadequate deployment in northern Mali, a lack of logistical infrastructure, and a decline in local popularity. The brief recommends a more holistic approach to capacity-building that moves beyond individual training to include institutional support and confidence-building measures to restore trust between the population and state security forces.

The August 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Union's (AU) response to crises in Mali and Nigeria, the operationalization of the PSC's counter-terrorism sub-committee, and ongoing reviews of the Council's internal working methods.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines community perceptions of organized crime and illicit trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel, specifically focusing on Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Niger. It argues that in regions where the state is absent or corrupt, trafficking is often viewed not as a crime but as a necessary survival strategy and a sign of social success. The document details a 'vicious cycle' where poverty, crime, and state deprivation reinforce each other, leading to the erosion of traditional social norms and the infiltration of criminal networks into state institutions.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines community perspectives on organized crime and illicit trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel, specifically focusing on Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Niger. It argues that in regions with weak state presence and extreme poverty, trafficking is often viewed not as a crime but as a necessary survival strategy and a legitimate path to social success. The document details how this criminal economy erodes traditional authority, fuels corruption at all levels of government, and creates a cycle of state alienation, while proposing community-led solutions centered on state integrity and sustainable economic alternatives.

A briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzing the security and political risks surrounding Mali's legislative elections on 24 November 2013, highlighting terrorist threats, separatist tensions, and low female political representation.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the 18 June 2013 Preliminary Agreement for the Presidential Election and Inclusive Peace Talks in Mali, the challenges facing the July 2013 presidential elections, and the transition of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) into the United Nations Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political economy and organizational structures of armed groups in northern Mali, specifically Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar al-Dine, and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA). It details how these groups utilize a 'war economy' based on kidnapping for ransom and the taxation of illicit trafficking to fund their operations and gain local support in the absence of state presence.

The report examines the political and security shifts in Mali following the 2013 French military intervention. It notes a temporary strengthening of the interim presidency and a marginalization of the military junta, while highlighting the extreme difficulty of stabilizing the north due to the porous nature of armed groups and the lack of public trust in the MNLA. The author argues that while military gains were made, long-term stability requires deep governance reforms and a credible, inclusive electoral process rather than a simple return to the pre-coup political order.

This August 2012 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analyses on political and security crises in Mali, Libya, Angola, and Somalia, while examining the evolving role of China in African peace and security efforts.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the criminal justice system and national security policies in Mali. It details the legal framework for fighting crime, the structure of the judiciary, the challenges of prison management, and the transition toward a 'human security' approach in national security governance.

The revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of Mali outlines the country's updated commitments to the Paris Agreement for the 2020-2030 period. Mali aims to maintain its status as a carbon sink while increasing its mitigation ambitions across four sectors: energy, agriculture, forestry and land-use change, and waste. The document details specific emission reduction targets, adaptation strategies to combat desertification and food insecurity, and a comprehensive financing and monitoring framework, with a strong emphasis on gender integration and the involvement of non-state actors.