Bamako, Mali – Four years after the military seized power, Malians are grappling with worsening economic conditions and crippling power cuts, residents say. The 2020 coup, sparked by public anger over corruption, jihadist insurgency, and economic hardship, has yet to deliver on promises of a better life.
Power outages are a constant headache for businesses and households alike. “The government must do something,” pleaded Oumar Diarra, a furniture maker, highlighting the immense losses he and others have suffered.
Mali’s economic growth is projected to slow this year, according to the World Bank, with poverty rates soaring. The country’s reliance on agriculture, a sector vulnerable to climate change, exacerbates economic challenges.
The military junta, which has postponed elections indefinitely, has also alienated Western partners, leading to the departure of French and UN troops. In their place, the government has turned to Russia for support.
While some Malians view the current hardships as necessary sacrifices for greater independence from France, others are growing increasingly impatient. “Political independence is meaningless without economic independence,” said Alkady Haidara, a resident of Bamako.
