What is the biggest problem in Mali?

Rapid population growth, low agricultural productivity, and climate change are major challenges to food security. Political instability and conflict since the 2012 military coup and the occupation of the northern regions by armed groups are also significant issues. The country's economy remains undiversified from rain-fed agriculture and other commodities, making it exposed to climate and price shocks. Poverty forecasts for 2025 are essentially flat, down just 0.3 pp to 36.4% from 2024. The fiscal deficit is expected to widen to 3.3% of GDP in 2025, reflecting lower-than-anticipated mining revenues.

A major humanitarian crisis, affecting 3.7 million people, that include 1.6 million of them children, is currently Mali’s biggest problem. The destructive ethnic tension, fueling murderous conflicts, had 160 residents of one village massacred in March, this year! The main causative factor of the humanitarian crisis was conflict initially domiciled in the north. It has now spread into central region, rendering the hitherto relatively peaceful location insecure. It has affected Mopti and Segou regions, where World Vision Mali either has development programs or response interventions. Sadly, an area that was supposed to be a harvest season for villagers in Central Mali has led to a season of starvation, death and destruction. The Dogon point fingers at the Fulani, whom they accuse of trespassing into their farmland to feed their animals, while the Fulani accuse the Dogon of killing and stealing their cattle. It is alleged that armed groups that include al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates are behind the conflict. The humanitarian catastrophe has prompted an urgent need for increased funding for Mali to support millions of people affected by spreading violence. The presence of 14,000 MINUSMA peace-keeping force today, has not stopped the violence, which is spreading and spiralling at an alarming rate.