Mali Rejects US Aid Claim, Calls for Accountability on Misused Funds
By: Zagazola Makama
The Malian government has expressed surprise over a recent announcement by the United States Department of Government Efficiency, which listed Mali among countries whose American grants have been canceled.
In a statement Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it was taken aback by reports circulating on social media about an alleged $14 million grant (approximately 8.8 billion CFA francs) for social cohesion initiatives that had been revoked by the US.
The Malian government confirmed that it has officially contacted American authorities regarding the matter.
The ministry emphasized that Mali has long opposed the misuse of foreign aid as a tool for destabilization, subversion, and the financing of terrorist networks.
It reiterated that in line with the vision of the Malian Transition President, cooperation agreements must respect the sovereignty of the Malian state, the choices of its people, and the country’s national interests.
As a result, the government had, for the past two years, refrained from signing the US five-year Development Grant Agreement, which funds projects under the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The execution of some activities, including those related to social cohesion, was put on hold until they aligned with Mali’s sovereignty, priorities, and national procedures.
The ministry welcomed the new stance by US authorities to reform their foreign aid policies and acknowledged efforts to curb the misuse of funds. It further called on Washington to prosecute those responsible for diverting aid money to finance international terrorism, which has affected Mali and other member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The Malian government reaffirmed its commitment to national security, peacebuilding, social cohesion, and sustainable development through a nationally driven approach that respects sovereignty, fosters mutual partnership, and aligns with the framework of the AES confederation.
