Week dedicated to justice in Mali: reforms and progress under the Minister of justice

For the second consecutive year, the judicial institution of Mali is organizing a week entirely dedicated to justice. Launched on January 8, 2024, in Bamako, this week provided an opportunity for the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Mamadou Kassogué, to highlight the reforms undertaken in the Malian justice sector during his tenure.

Termed by a legal practitioner as one of the most reformative periods for the Malian judicial sector, the past two years have witnessed significant changes.

The Minister of Justice has prioritized justice reform and the fight against impunity.

Notable innovations include the creation of the National Economic and Financial Pole, the National Pole for Combating Cybercrime, the specialized public prosecutor’s office for combating terrorism and organized transnational crime, the Agency for the Recovery and Management of Seized or Confiscated Assets, and the establishment of the National Human Rights Directorate.

Minister of Justice Mamadou Kassogué emphasizes that all these structures, except the last two, are currently operational, demonstrating that the reforms are not just pending initiatives but must be effective to achieve the set objectives.

He insists on the need for justice to be more accessible to litigants, both individually and collectively, considering the crucial issues it represents for them.

Over the past two years, Malian justice has been distinguished by its relentless fight against corruption, economic and financial delinquency, terrorism, organized transnational crime, and cybercrime.

 Individuals guilty of moral depravity and violation of social values through social media have also been prosecuted, with dozens of citizens sent behind bars.

The introduction of a National Human Rights Directorate has been highlighted as a notable improvement for respecting human rights in the prison environment.

This reform has materialized through the operationalization of the new Bamako Detention Center in Kénioroba, meeting the minimum United Nations standards for detention and contributing to reducing prison overcrowding in Bamako.

Furthermore, the Minister of Justice has presented to the National Transitional Council a draft text on the revision of the Penal Code and the Code of Procedure for examination and adoption.

This initiative aims to strengthen the fight against economic and financial delinquency, cybercrime, terrorism, human trafficking, slavery practices, gender-based violence, offenses against morals, as well as criminal proceedings against legal entities.

The proposed reform abolishes Assize Courts in favor of criminal chambers at the level of the High Courts, provides the opportunity to appeal decisions in criminal matters, abolishes certain jurisdictional privileges, makes offenses against public property non-prescriptive, raises the maximum penalty for the offense from five (5) to ten (10) years, strengthens measures for respecting deadlines, among other significant advances.

Titi KEITA