Switzerland's Aid Initiatives in Mali Face Significant Challenges

Switzerland plans to allocate millions in aid to Mali, yet the realization of these funds remains uncertain. The Swiss government has not fully utilized its development aid budget, raising concerns among critics who argue that efforts in the Sahel region have not yielded positive results.

Mali is one of the world's poorest nations, suffering from chronic instability. The country has experienced two military coups in less than a year, ousting both the president in 2020 and the transitional president and prime minister in 2021. These coups led to the expulsion of France, Mali's former colonial power, and the termination of the UN peacekeeping mission by the end of 2023 at the behest of military leaders. In the vacuum left by Western nations, Russia and China are stepping in to fill the gaps.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has identified Mali as a key focus area, aiming to combat poverty, uphold human rights, and foster sustainable peace. Despite the challenges, Switzerland maintains a cooperation office in the capital, Bamako, while many Western nations have withdrawn their diplomatic missions and halted cooperation programs due to the political upheaval.

A recent report from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) highlights significant obstacles faced in implementing the bilateral cooperation program for 2022 to 2025. The report indicates that the Swiss representation in Bamako was unable to utilize a substantial portion of its international cooperation budget in 2024. Consequently, the department informed the African division of the FDFA that approximately 8 million Swiss francs could be redirected for other purposes, representing about 38% of the annual budget allocated for Mali.

Delays in launching new projects are primarily attributed to lengthy approval processes with Malian authorities, who have not signed necessary contracts. As a result, many initiatives have either been postponed or scaled down. Additionally, funding transfers from the central Malian government to local regions have been severely disrupted. The Swiss office in Mali successfully utilized its humanitarian aid budget, but projects requiring longer-term investment have stalled.

The ongoing conflicts in the region have further complicated the SDC's operations. Limited access to project sites and partners hampers the ability to conduct necessary evaluations. The report notes discrepancies in payments made to partner organizations, suggesting that some funds were allocated without substantiated needs. In several instances, payments intended for 2024 were disbursed prematurely at the end of 2023, raising concerns about financial oversight.

While the auditors acknowledged that the Swiss representation is functioning within a volatile context, they identified areas for improvement in financial planning and partner payments. Recommendations include ensuring that partner organizations demonstrate budget utilization before receiving further funds to mitigate the risk of unspent aid.

The Swiss office in Bamako is working on enhancing coordination with partners. However, the political landscape raises questions about the effectiveness of development cooperation beyond humanitarian efforts in the current context of Mali. Budget constraints from the federal government, driven by a quicker-than-expected increase in military funding, are also impacting international cooperation funds.

Experts have expressed concerns regarding the overall effectiveness of foreign aid in Mali. Despite decades of support from Western nations, the country - along with others in the region - continues to struggle with governance issues, returning to authoritarian rule. The expert emphasized that, aside from a few exceptions, the majority of countries receiving aid have failed to achieve industrialization or sustainable development.

International aid plays a critical role in Mali's economy, contributing approximately 11% to the GDP in 2019. Switzerland ranked among the top ten donors, contributing around 38 million Swiss francs in aid.

The SDC defends its commitment to Mali due to the country's strategic significance in the broader Sahel region, particularly regarding dangerous migration routes. The agency has pointed out that it has previously achieved positive outcomes, although 2024 has proven to be an exception. Despite difficulties, new projects in addressing food insecurity, education in emergencies, and support for mine victims have been initiated.

The FDFA insists on the necessity of combining development cooperation with humanitarian aid in unstable environments like Mali to achieve long-term objectives. Strengthening local governance and addressing foundational issues are essential components of this approach.

Nevertheless, the federal government has made adjustments to its budget for Mali, reducing it by over 5 million Swiss francs to approximately 20 million for 2025. This decision reflects parliamentary cuts affecting development cooperation, while slightly increasing the humanitarian aid budget. Unspent funds from the 2024 international cooperation budget have been redirected toward urgent humanitarian efforts in Mali and neighboring countries impacted by flooding.

Additionally, the FDFA plans to reduce personnel in Mali, as indicated in the internal review report. Swiss representatives on the ground have reported high levels of fatigue and stress, requiring regular breaks. Even within Bamako, mobility is restricted, and staff face ongoing exposure to poor living conditions. Consequently, the FDFA is struggling to attract candidates for vacant positions, with no applications received for the role of head of international cooperation during the first recruitment round.