University activities in Mali have been disrupted as teacher-researchers embark on an industrial strike over unpaid research bonuses.
The strike is led by the Coordination of Higher Education and Scientific Research Unions (CSEC), which includes the National Union of Higher Education (SNESUP) and the Union of Higher Education and Scientific Research (SECMA).
Unions are demanding the immediate resolution of the dispute and the payment of research bonuses, which were introduced in 2017 but have yet to be disbursed.
The research bonus, established in 2017, was intended to support academic research, but teachers argue that its non-payment has hindered research progress and worsened their living conditions.
According to union sources, the strike is widely supported in Mali’s major universities, especially in Bamako and Segou, where classes are suspended and university operations have slowed down. While unions have not provided exact participation figures, they describe the mobilisation as significant.
Prior to the strike, union representatives met with the Minister of Higher Education, but the discussions ended in a deadlock. Unions have accused the transitional government of showing “bad faith” and failing to offer any concrete solutions to address their concerns.
