Outline

Under Mali's 1992 constitution, the president is chief of state and commander in chief of the armed forces. The president is elected to 5-year terms, with a limit of two terms. The president appoints the prime minister as head of government. The president chairs the Council of Ministers (the prime minister and currently 27 other ministers, including 5 women), which adopts proposals for laws submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

The National Assembly is the sole legislative arm of the government. It currently consists of 147 members. Representation is apportioned according to the population of administrative districts. Election is direct and by party list. The term of office is 5 years. The Assembly meets for two regular sessions each year. It debates and votes on legislation proposed either by one of its members or by the government and has the right to question government ministers about government actions and policies.
Mali's constitution provides for a multi-party democracy, with the only restriction being a prohibition against parties based on ethnic, religious, regional, or gender lines. In addition to those political parties represented in the National Assembly, others are active in municipal councils.

Administratively, Mali is divided into eight regions and the capital district of Bamako, each under the authority of an appointed Governor. Each region consists of five to nine districts (or Prefectures), administered by Prefects. Prectures are divided into communes, which, in turn, are divided into villages or quarters. Plans for decentralization have begun with the establishment of 702 elected municipal councils, headed by elected mayors. Further plans envision election of local officials, greater local control over finances, and the reduction of administrative control by the central government.

Coat of Arms	Flag

Motto

" Un Peuple, un But, une Foi" (One Nation, One Goal, One Faith)

Anthem

The national anthem is "Le Mali"

Other Information

The Institutions    

Mali is an independent, sovereign; indivisible, democratic, secular, social Republic. Mali has eight (8) institutions that are:

The President of the Republic  

The president is the chief of state and commander in chief of the armed forces. The president is elected to 5-year terms, with a limit of two terms. The president appoints the Prime Minister as head of government. The president chairs the Council of Ministers, which adopts proposals for laws submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

The Cabinet    

The Cabinet determines and directs the political institutions of the Nation, the armed forces, and their administration. The Prime Minister is the Head of the Cabinet. He directs and coordinates governmental action. He assures the execution of the laws. He is responsible for the execution of the political institutions and the national defense. The Cabinet is responsible before the National Assembly.

The National Assembly (The Parliament)    

The National Assembly is the sole legislative arm of the government. It currently consists of 147 members. Members of the National Assembly are called Deputies. Representation is apportioned according to the population of administrative districts. Election is direct and by party list. The term of office is 5 years.

The Assembly meets for two regular sessions each year. It debates and votes on legislation proposed either by one of its members or by the government and has the right to question government ministers about government actions and policies. Eight political parties, aggregated into four parliamentary groups, are represented in the Assembly.

The Supreme Court    

The Supreme Court has both judicial and administrative powers. Under the constitution, there is a separate constitutional court and a high court of justice with the power to try senior government officials in cases of treason.

The Supreme Court is presided by a judicial Magistrate named by the President of the Republic and conforming to a proposition of the Superior Council of the Magistracy.

The Supreme Court is composed of    

The Supreme Court    

The Constitutional Court guarantees the fundamental laws of the individual and public liberties. The Constitutional Court is composed of nine members who hold the title of Counselors with a period of office of seven years, once renewable. The nine (9) members of the Constitutional Court must give an oath in a ceremony presided over by the President of the Republic before the National Assembly and the Supreme Court. They must say:

"I swear to conscientiously fulfill the duties of my office, with strict respect to the obligations of neutrality and reservation, and to conduct myself with dignity and loyalty to my public office."

The Constitutional Court must decide on:    

The High Court of Justice    

The High Court of Justice is competent to judge the President of the Republic and Ministers upon accusation by the National Assembly of high treason or of crimes or offenses committed while exercising their functions.

The High Council of Territorial Collectives          

The mission of the High Council of Collectives is to study and give an opinion about every issue of local and regional development. It may make proposals to the Cabinet on any issue concerning the protection of the environment and the quality of life in the collectives.

The High Council of Collectives is seated at Bamako. It may be transferred to any other location if necessary. The members of the High Council of Collectives carry the title National Counselors. National Counselors are elected for five years by indirect suffrage.

The High Council of Collectives represents the Malians abroad.

The President of the High Council of Collectives is elected for five years.

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council    

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council is competent regarding all aspects of economic, social and cultural development. Members of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council are:    

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council writes a report to the attention of the President of the Republic, the Cabinet and the National Assembly about the expectations, the needs and problems of the civil society.