Legal System of Mali

Mali is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in interior western africa, southwest of algeria, north of guinea, cote d’ivoire, and burkina faso, west of niger. The country achieved independence on 22 september 1960 (from france). The capital is Bamako.

Government Overview

Government Type: semi-presidential republic Chief of State: Transition President Assimi GOITA (since 7 June 2021) Head of Government: Transition Prime Minister Abdoulaye MAIGA (since 22 November 2024) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 19 regions (régions, singular - région), 1 district*; Bamako*, Bandiagara, Bougouni, Dioila, Douentza, Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Kita, Koulikoro, Koutiala, Menaka, Mopti, Nara, Nioro, San, Segou, Sikasso, Taoudenni, Tombouctou (Timbuktu) National Holiday: Independence Day, 22 September (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Mali is described as civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest drafted 13 October 2022 and submitted to Transition President Assimi GOITA; final draft completed 1 March 2023; approved by referendum 18 June 2023; validated by Constitutional Court 22 July 2023

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (consists of 19 judges organized into judicial, administrative, and accounting sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Ministry of Justice to serve 5-year terms; Constitutional Court judges selected - 3 each by the president, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Council of the Magistracy; members serve single renewable 7-year terms Subordinate Courts: Court of Appeal; High Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases of high treason or criminal offenses by the president or ministers while in office); administrative courts (first instance and appeal); commercial courts; magistrate courts; labor courts; juvenile courts; special court of state security

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note 1: the National Assembly was dissolved on 18 August 2020 after a military coup; the transitional government created a Transitional National Council (CNT) that acts as the transitional government’s legislative body; a new constitution was ratified in July 2023 that expanded the military junta’s powers, and no plans for legislative elections have been announced
note 2: coup leaders appointed a president and vice president; the president then apportioned CNT seats to various groups and political parties

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Mali Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Present-day Mali is named after the Mali Empire that ruled the region between the 13th and 16th centuries. At its peak in the 14th century, it was the largest and wealthiest empire in West Africa and controlled an area about twice the size of modern-day France. Primarily a trading empire, Mali derived its wealth from gold and maintained several goldfields and trade routes in the Sahel.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Mali based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.