LM Report 2004

Mali

Key developments since 1999: Mali became a State Party on 1 March 1999. It destroyed its stockpiled antipersonnel mines in 1998, even before the Mine Ban Treaty entered into force. Mali adopted national implementation measures in 2000. Mali hosted an Africa-wide regional conference on the Mine Ban Treaty in Bamako in February 2001. An inter-ministerial commission was created in June 2002 to take responsibility for the mine issue.

Mali signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and ratified on 2 June 1998, becoming a State Party on 1 March 1999. National implementation measures were adopted in 2000 which include penal sanctions and fines.^[1] An inter-ministerial National Commission for a Total Ban on Landmines (CNITMA) was established in June 2002 to take responsibility for the mine issue.^[2]

An active participant in the Ottawa Process leading to the Mine Ban Treaty, Mali has since attended every annual Meeting of States Parties, as well as several intersessional Standing Committee meetings, including in February 2004. Mali was the first co-chair of the intersessional Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction from May 1999 and September 2000, but was largely absent from the role

As chair of the Human Security Network, Mali reiterated the Network's engagement in working toward a mine-free world in a statement to the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in September 2003.^[3] Regionally, Mali has been very active promoting the Mine Ban Treaty, including by hosting a seminar in Bamako, attended by representatives of 45 African states in February 2001. It has participated in other regional mine seminars held in Nigeria (October 2001) and Burkina Faso (January 2004). Mali has voted in favor of every annual pro-ban United Nations General Assembly resolution since 1996.

Mali submitted its initial Article 7 report, due 27 August 1999, on 17 May 2001. A second report was submitted on 31 July 2003, and a third on 15 September 2004. The latest report contains no new information.^[4]

While Mali is party to Amended Protocol II of the Convention on Conventional Weapons, it did not attend the Fifth Annual Conference of States Parties in November 2003, nor has it submitted an annual report as required under Article 13 of the protocol.

Mali has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines. It states that it has never used antipersonnel mines and that there have been no reports that either the government or the rebels used antipersonnel mines during the Touareg rebellion.^[5]

Before the treaty entered into force, Mali destroyed its stockpile of 7,127 antipersonnel mines, together with 5,131 antivehicle mines, between 25 May and 22 September 1998.^[6]

Mali initially reported that it retained 2,000 antipersonnel and 1,000 antivehicle mines for training purposes.^[7] Mali subsequently reported that by 17 January 2003, it had 600 antipersonnel mines and 300 antivehicle mines retained for training, having consumed 1,400 antipersonnel mines and 700 antivehicle mines during training activities.^[8]

Mali is not mine-affected. The Malian Army is experienced in mine clearance.^[9] Although Mali is often involved in military peacekeeping operations in the region, no antipersonnel mine casualties have been reported by the Army.^[10]

[1] The two legal texts, an ordnance and a decree, prohibit the development, manufacturing, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, offer, import, export, transfer, and use of antipersonnel mines. Breach of the legislation is punishable with a maximum of life imprisonment and a fine of between CFA500,000 and CFA3 million (approximately US$680 to $4,000). A five- to ten-year prohibition on entering the country can be added to the initial sentence. Ordinance No. 049/P-RM on the Implementation of the Convention, adopted on 27 September 2000, and Decree No. 569/P-RM on the Application of the Ordinance, adopted on 15 November 2000.
[2] Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 341.
[3] Statement by Mali on behalf of the Human Security Network, Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Bangkok, Thailand, 16 September 2003.
[4] Mali did not submit a required update in 2002. See Article 7 Reports submitted: 15 September 2004 (for the period 18 January 2003 to 30 April 2004); 31 July 2003 (for the period 18 January 2001-17 January 2003); and 17 May 2001 (for the period 30 October 1998-17 January 2001).
[5] Statement by the Ministry of Defense, Seminar on the Universalization and Implementation of the Ottawa Convention in Africa, Bamako, 16 February 2001.
[6] 4,225 PMNs and 2,902 POZ-2.5 antipersonnel mines were destroyed. Based on the technical description, the “POZ-2.5” is the mine commonly known as the POMZ-2M. Article 7 Report, Form B, submitted 17 May 2001.
[7] Article 7 Report, Form D, 17 May 2001.
[8] Article 7 Report, Form D, 31 July 2003.
[9] Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 342.
[10] Interview with Mamadou Lamine Ouatara, Technical Adviser, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 28 January 2002.