Koulouba, Mali – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali has officially requested clarifications from American authorities following a U.S. Department of State report alleging that Mali, along with several other nations, received a grant of approximately 14 million U.S. dollars—or roughly 8.8 billion CFA francs—to support social cohesion initiatives.
In a press release issued on February 24, the ministry expressed surprise at the report and stressed that it had taken immediate steps to seek further details from U.S. officials regarding the alleged funding.
The government underscored its long-standing stance against the misuse of public development aid, warning that such funds, if diverted, could serve as instruments of destabilisation, facilitate the financing of terrorist networks, and ultimately undermine national sovereignty.
The ministry reiterated Mali’s unwavering commitment to sovereignty and emphasised that the country has consistently denounced any actions that could compromise its independent decision-making.
In line with the vision of the transitional authorities and the guiding constitutional principles, Mali has reserved the right to engage in agreements—such as the one concerning the financing of projects through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—only under conditions that fully respect its national priorities, established procedures, and sovereign interests.
While welcoming recent efforts by the U.S. to streamline and humanize their grant-making processes, the government stressed its determination to safeguard the integrity of public aid.
It called on American authorities to initiate legal proceedings against any individuals found responsible for diverting funds to finance terrorist activities, actions that have adversely affected Mali and other states within the AES Confederation.
The ministry concluded by reaffirming the transitional government’s commitment to restoring peace, promoting social cohesion, and achieving sustainable development through a framework of national ownership, partnership, and mutual respect within the Confederation of Sahel States.