Mali
Not Free
21
100
| PR Political Rights | 3 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 18 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
24
100
Not Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Mali experienced a political transition away from authoritarian rule beginning in the early 1990s and gradually built up its democratic institutions for about 20 years. State fragility and economic neglect led to an insurgency in northern Mali in January 2012 and a military coup in Bamako in March of the same year. Since then, Mali has been in a quasi-permanent state of crisis and reconstruction. Violent conflicts between the state and Islamist militants and insurgents affect northern and central Mali. A military coup in 2020 ushered in a junta-led transitional government, and a second coup in 2021 reinforced the military’s hold on power. A new constitution was ratified in 2023, but elections planned for 2024 were postponed and the junta remains firmly in control of the government.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2026. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see the reports from the 2024 and 2025 editions of Freedom in the World.
A1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 0.000 4.004 |
A2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 0.000 4.004 |
A3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 0.000 4.004 |
Score Change: The score declined from 1 to 0 because the military government approved and President Assimi Goïta signed a new law that gives President Goïta a five-year mandate that can be renewed without elections, effectively extending his term indefinitely.
B1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 0.000 4.004 |
Score Change: The score declined from 1 to 0 because the junta dissolved all political parties and banned their activity.
B2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 0.000 4.004 |
B3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 0.000 4.004 |
B4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 1.001 4.004 |
Score Change: The score declined from 2 to 1 because the banning of all political parties and postponement of elections prevents Malians from exercising their full political rights.
C1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 0.000 4.004 |
C2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 1.001 4.004 |
C3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 1.001 4.004 |
D1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 1.001 4.004 |
D2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 2.002 4.004 |
D3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 2.002 4.004 |
D4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 2.002 4.004 |
E1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 1.001 4.004 |
E2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 1.001 4.004 |
E3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 2.002 4.004 |
F1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 1.001 4.004 |
F2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 1.001 4.004 |
F3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 0.000 4.004 |
F4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 1.001 4.004 |
G1
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 1.001 4.004 |
G2
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 1.001 4.004 |
G3
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 1.001 4.004 |
G4
1.00-4.00 pts0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 1.001 4.004 |
Country Facts
-
Population
22,590,000 -
Global Freedom Score
21 100 not free
