Military of Mali

Armed and Security Forces of Mali
Forces Armées et de Sécurité du Mali

Coat of Arms of Mali
Founded 10 October 1960[1][2][3]
Service branches Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, and National Police (Sûreté Nationale)
Headquarters Bamako
Leadership
President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
Minister of Defence Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga
Chief of staff Brigadier General Mahamane Touré Appointed November 8th 2013.
Manpower
Conscription Compulsory military service[4]
Active personnel 7,350 plus 4,800 paramilitary forces
Expenditures
Budget $68 million ($5 million procurement) (FY03)
Percent of GDP 2% (FY01)
Industry
Foreign suppliers  Bulgaria[5]
 China[5]
 France[5]
 Soviet Union[5]
 Ukraine[5]

Mali's armed forces are the Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, and National Police (Sûreté Nationale).[6] They number some 7,000 and are under the control of the Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans. The Library of Congress as of January 2005 stated that "[t]he military is underpaid, poorly equipped, and in need of rationalization. Its organisation has suffered from the incorporation of Tuareg irregular forces into the regular military following a 1992 agreement between the government and Tuareg rebel forces."[7]

In 2009, the IISS Military Balance listed 7,350 soldiers in the Army, 400 in the Air Force, and 50 in the Navy.[8] The Gendarmerie and local police forces (under the Ministry of Interior and Security) maintain internal security. The IISS listed paramilitary total force as 4,800 personnel: 1,800 in the Gendarmerie (8 companies), 2,000 in the Republican Guard, and 1,000 police officers. A few Malians receive military training in the United States, France, and Germany.

Military expenditures total about 13% of the national budget. Mali is an active contributor to peacekeeping forces in West and Central Africa.

History

The Malian armed forces were initially formed by Malian conscript and volunteer veterans of the French Armed Forces. In the months preceding the formation of the Malian armed forces, the French Armed Forces withdrew from their bases in Mali. Among the last bases to be closed were those at Kati, on 8 June 1961, Tessalit (un base aérienne secondaire), on 8 July 1961, Gao (la base aérienne 163 de Gao), on 2 August 1961, and Air Base 162 at Bamako (la base aérienne 162 de Bamako), on 5 September 1961.[1]

"On 1 October 1960, the Malian army was created and solemnly installed through a speech by Chief of Staff Captain Sekou Traore. On 12 October the same year the population of Bamako attended for the first time an army parade under the command of Captain Tiemoko Konate. Organizationally, says Sega Sissoko, is the only battalion of Ségou and includes units scattered across the territory. A memo from the Chief of Staff ordered a realignment of the battalion. Following on, a command and services detachment in Bamako was created, and the engineer company in Ségou, the first Saharan motorized company of Gao, the Saharan Motor Company of Kidal, the Arouane nomad group, nomadic group of Timetrine (in the commune of Timtaghène), the 1st Reconnaissance Company and Nioro 2nd Reconnaissance Company Tessalit. As of January 16, 1961, Mali's army totaled 1232 men."[1][3]

A national guard soldier walks by demonstrators at Bamako airport.

In the sixties and seventies, Mali's army and air force relied primarily on the Soviet Union for materiel and training.[7]

On 19 November 1968, a group of young Malian officers staged a bloodless coup and set up a 14-member military junta, with Lieutenant Moussa Traoré as president. The military leaders attempted to pursue economic reforms, but for several years faced debilitating internal political struggles and the disastrous Sahelian drought. A new constitution, approved in 1974, created a one-party state and was designed to move Mali toward civilian rule. The military leaders remained in power.[9]

Single-party presidential and legislative elections were held in June 1979, and General Moussa Traoré received 99% of the votes. His efforts at consolidating the single-party government were challenged in 1980 by student-led anti-government demonstrations, which were brutally put down, and by three coup attempts. The Traore government ruled throughout the 1970s and 1980s. On 26 March 1991, after four days of intense anti-government rioting, a group of 17 military officers, led by current President Amadou Toumani Touré, arrested President Traoré and suspended the constitution. They formed a civilian-heavy provisional ruling body, and initiated a process that led to democratic elections.[9]

The First Tuareg Rebellion began in 1990 when Tuareg separatists attacked government buildings around Gao. The armed forces' reprisals led to a full-blown rebellion in which the absence of opportunities for Tuareg in the army was a major complaint. The conflict died down after Alpha Konaré formed a new government and made reparations in 1992. Also, Mali created a new self-governing region, the Kidal Region, and provided for greater Tuareg integration into Malian society. In 1994, Tuareg, reputed to have been trained and armed by Libya, attacked Gao, which again led to major Malian Army reprisals and to the creation of the Ghanda Koi Songhai militia to combat the Tuareg. Mali effectively fell into civil war.

As of June 2008, service commanders were Colonel Boubacar Togola (Armée de Terre), Colonel Waly Sissoko (Armée de l’Air), Lieutenant-Colonel Daouda Sogoba (Garde Nationale) et du Colonel Adama Dembélé (Gendarmerie Nationale).[10]

The Malian army largely collapsed during the war against Tuareg separatists and Islamist rebels in early 2012. In a span of less than fourth months at the start of 2012, the Malian army was defeated by the rebels who seized more than 60% of the former Malian territory, taking all camps and position of the army, capturing and killing hundreds of Malian soldiers, while hundred others deserted or defected.[11]

Following the rebel advance, a group of soldiers from the Kati camp near Bamako staged a coup which overthrew Malian president Amadou Toure. After the junta seized power, they successfully repelled a counter coup on 30 April by loyalists from the red berets elite units.[12]

Army

Members of the Malian army conduct drills to instruct new recruits during exercise Flintlock 2007 in Tombouctou, Mali, 2007.
Fahd armoured personnel carrier of the Mali Army being prepared for an airlift.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Tuareg Rebellion, the Malian Army has struggled to maintain its size, despite recent military aid from the United States. It is organised into two tank battalions (T-55, T-54 [13] and T-34/85, tanks, including possibly a light armoured battalion of PT-76s [14] and Type 62 light tanks),[15] four infantry battalions, one Special Forces battalion, one airborne battalion (possibly the 33rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Djikoroni, in Bamako[16]), two artillery battalions, one engineer battalion (34th), 2 AD artillery batteries, and one SAM battery.[8] In 2014, 30 BM-21 Grads were delivered from Bulgaria.[17] Croatia donated 4000 Zastava M70 rifles in 2013.[18]

Manpower is provided by two-year selective conscription. Mali apparently has six military regions, according to Jane's World Armies. The 1st Military Region and 13th Combined Arms Regiment may be in Gao.[19] The 3rd Military Region appears to be at Kati.[20] The 4th Military Region is at Kayes and the 5th Military Region is at Timbuktu.[16]

The 512 Regiment was reported within the 5th Military Region in 2004. In 2010 Agence France Press reported that French training would be given to the 62nd Motorized Infantry Regiment of the 6th Military Region, based at Sévaré.[21] The same story said that the regiment consisted of three Rapid Intervention Companies (CIR) and AFP said it was "considered the elite...of the Malian army."[21]

Mali is one of four Saharan states which has created a Joint Military Staff Committee, to be based at Tamanrasset in southern Algeria. Algeria, Mauritania, Niger, and Mali will take part.[22]

The Army controls the small navy (approx. 130 sailors and 3 river patrol boats).

Current army equipment

Origin Type Acquired In service Notes
T-54/55  Soviet Union Main Battle Tank 12[23]
T-34  Soviet Union Medium Tank 30[5] 21[23]
Type 62  People's Republic of China Light Tank 18[5]
PT-76  Soviet Union Light Tank 20[5] --
BTR-70  Soviet Union/ Ukraine Armoured Personnel Carrier 9[5]
BTR-60  Soviet Union/ Ukraine Armoured Personnel Carrier 54[5] 53[23] BTR-60PB.[5]
BTR-152  Soviet Union Armoured Personnel Carrier 10[5] 8[23]
BTR-40  Soviet Union Armoured Personnel Carrier 30[24] 20[23]
Fahd  Egypt Armoured Personnel Carrier 5[5]
RG-31 Nyala  South Africa MRAP 5[5]
BRDM-2  Soviet Union Scout Car 64[5] 20[25]
D-30  Soviet Union Howitzer 8[5]
D-44  Soviet Union Howitzer 6[24] --
M1944 BS-3  Soviet Union Howitzer 6[5]
M43 120mm  Soviet Union Heavy Mortar 30[25]
BM-21 Grad  Soviet Union Multiple Rocket Launcher 32[5] Modernized by Bulgaria.[5]

Training establishments

The Malian armed forces have at least two significant training establishments:

Participants and instructors chatting during a break at EMPABB Bamako, 2007.

The Alioune Bloundin Beye school is the tactical-level component of a trio of three ECOWAS peacekeeping training schools: the Alioune Bloundin Beye school (EMPABB), the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana (operational level), and the Nigerian National Defence College (strategic level).[26] The school has trained over 6900 students since its opening and is currently supported financially and technically by seven countries and as well as the ECOWAS.[27]

Mali Air Force

Three Malian soldiers stand in a hangar, in front of the Mali Air Force's MiG 21bis fighter aircraft at Bamako/Senou Airport in Mali (1997).

The Mali Air Force (Armée de l'air du Mali) was founded in 1961 with French supplied military aid. This included MH.1521 Broussard utility monoplane followed by two C-47 transports until Soviet aid starting in 1962 with four Antonov AN-2 Colt biplane transports and four Mi-4 light helicopters.[28]

In the mid-1960s the Soviets delivered five MIG-17F fighters and a single MIG 15UTI fighter trainer to equip a squadron based at Bamako-Sénou initially with Soviet pilots. Two Ilyushin Il-14 transports and a Mil Mi-8 helicopter were delivered in 1971 followed by two Antonov AN-24 transports.

In 1976 an AN-26 transport was acquired along with a second AN-26 in 1983. Also in the 1970s the first of 12 MiG-21MF fighter and two MIG 21UM trainers were delivered. In 1983 six Aero L-29 jet trainers were delivered to form an Ecole de Pilotage (pilots school).

In June 2015 the Malian government ordered six Super Tucano light attack aircraft from the Brazilian company Embraer.[29]

Aircraft

Current inventory

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
MiG-21 Soviet Union fighter 9[30]
MiG-17 Soviet Union fighter 9[30]
Transport
Boeing 737 United States VIP 1 [31]
Boeing 727 United States VIP 1[31]
Basler BT-67 United States transport / utility 1[31] modified Douglas DC-3 with P&W PT6A Turboprop engines
Helicopters
AS350 Écureuil France utility 1[30]
AS332 Super Puma France transport 2[32] Delivered in 2016.
Mil Mi-24 Russia attack 3[30] 2 delivered in 2012 from Bulgaria[17]
Trainer Aircraft
Humbert Tétras France trainer / observation 7[31]
SF.260 Italy basic trainer 2[30]

References

  1. 1 2 3 DISCOURS DE AMADOU TOUMANI TOURE, PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE, : CINQUANTENAIRE DU 20 JANVIER (Speech by Amadou Toumani Toure, President of the Republic Demi-Centennial of 20 January), primature.gov.ml, 20 January 2011. The President of Mali's Demi-Centennial Army Day speech, with a detailed history of the formation of the Malian Armed Forces and withdrawal of French forces.
  2. ↑ 49EME ANNIVERSAIRE DU 20 JANVIER, Discours de Amadou Toumani TOURE, Président de la République,(49th Anniversary of 20 January, speech by Amadou Toumani Toure, President of the Republic of Mali), primature.gov.ml, 20 January 2010. The President of Mali on the History of the Malian Armed forces.
  3. 1 2 Fete de l'armee: Beintot un demi siecle. S. Konate. L’Essor n°16365, 2009-01-19. Reprinted on primature.gov.ml.
  4. ↑ Financial Times, World Desk Reference Mali Defense
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2014-11-20.
  6. ↑ CIA World Fact Book, 2003
  7. 1 2 Library of Congress, Country Profile, January 2005
  8. 1 2 IISS Military Balance 2009 p.310
  9. 1 2 Herbert Howe, Ambiguous Order: Military Forces in African States, Lynne Rienner, 2005, p.277
  10. ↑ État-major général des armées : Le colonel Gabriel Poudiougou promu Général de brigade. L'Indépendant, 12/06/2008
  11. ↑ Dixon, Robyn; Labous, Jane (4 April 2012). "Gains of Mali's Tuareg rebels appear permanent, analysts say". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ↑ Pflanz, Mike (1 May 2012). "Mali counter-coup fails". The Daily Telegraph.
  13. ↑ Mandrake. "Esoteric Armour". Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  14. ↑ Mandrake. "Esoteric Armour". Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  15. ↑ May include 35ème régiment blindé in the vicinity of Kati - http://www.malikounda.com/nouvelle_voir.php?idNouvelle=10935
  16. 1 2 United States European Command, 1/10 Special Forces Group Supports Pan Sahel Initiative, 2004
  17. 1 2 http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php. Retrieved 24 June 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ↑ Drazen. "Croatia delivers donated infantry weapons to Mali – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  19. ↑ State Department, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/34329.pdf
  20. ↑ http://www.malikounda.com/nouvelle_voir.php?idNouvelle=20217
  21. 1 2 Ennaharonline.com, French troops for anti-terrorist training in Mali, 13 April 2010.
  22. ↑ "Saharan states to open joint military headquarters". BBC. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.. See also http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/231198 - 09ALGIERS0048, on Tamanrassat committee
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mali Military". defenceweb.co.za. 2013-08-08. Retrieved 2015-06-28.
  24. 1 2 Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents. Africana Publishing Company, 1998, Volume 23 p. B90.
  25. 1 2 "Mali Fact Files". Institute for Security Studies Africa. 2001. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
  26. ↑ http://www.ambafrance-gh.org/spip.php?article115. Retrieved September 2011
  27. ↑ http://www.empbamako.org/ Retrieved February 2015
  28. ↑ World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. Files 337, Sheet 04.
  29. ↑ Hoyle, Craig (June 15, 2015). "T"PARIS: Mali to boost defences with Super Tucano"". Flightglobal. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 "World Air Forces 2015 pg. 22". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  31. 1 2 3 4 Sands, Glenn (May 2015). "Mali's depleted Air Force". Air Forces Monthly (326): 71–73.
  32. ↑ (French)http://www.avionslegendaires.net/2016/10/actu/flou-autour-de-livraison-de-deux-super-puma-mali/

 This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook document "2003 edition".

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