Mali: Bamako: An ambitious drainage program ensures a disaster-free rainy season

This Saturday in Bamako, the Malian government officially launched the cleaning works of drainage channels and gutters as part of the 2025 program. This is a crucial initiative for the Malian capital, which too often suffers deadly floods and material damage during the rainy season. The launch was attended by several government members, local authorities, key national stakeholders, and technical partners, with Prime Minister Major General Abdoulaye Maïga officially kicking off the program, which has clear and ambitious goals.

In a powerful speech, the Head of Government called for collective responsibility: “Let us do everything we can so that the 2025 rainy season is no longer a season of tears, but a season of renewal, a season of life”. These words reflect both the seriousness of the situation and the transitional authorities’ determination to pursue lasting change for the well-being of the population.

The program includes the systematic cleaning of several kilometers of gutters, drains, and sewage collectors in all neighborhoods of the Bamako district. The goal is not only to prevent flooding but also to improve urban sanitation and fight waterborne diseases. Civic engagement is also at the heart of this effort: citizens are encouraged to actively participate, maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings, and report acts of incivility.

Through this initiative, the Malian government is betting on proactive and community-centered governance. Rather than responding reactively to disasters, the focus is on prevention, planning, and early action. This pragmatic shift fits into a broader vision of national reconstruction and redefining the relationship between citizens and their institutions, based on shared responsibility.