President of Mali reviews annual reports from the Ombudsperson

 On 22 August, Transitional President of Mali Assimi Goïta received the annual reports for 2023 and 2024 from the Ombudsperson for Citizens' Rights, Sanogo Aminata Mallé, the Office of the President reported.

Key findings and statistics
- Mallé presented a two‑year institutional report documenting violations by administrative bodies and a sharp rise in public complaints: more than 6,000 appeals in 2023 and nearly 12,000 in 2024. The presidency interpreted this increase as a sign of growing public trust in the Ombudsperson's office.
- Most complaints concerned land disputes, delays in enforcement of judicial decisions, bureaucratic hurdles and gaps in social protection. Mallé also flagged artisanal gold mining as a source of local conflict, pollution and ecosystem degradation.

Recommendations and government response
- The Ombudsperson proposed measures including strict observance of land‑management procedures, acceleration of administrative processes, improved conflict management between local authorities, and accelerated digitalisation of public administration.
- President Goïta called for turning the identified problems into opportunities for reform, particularly in land governance and public policy, and ordered continued government cooperation with the Ombudsperson's institution. He described the rising number of appeals and civic engagement as a strong indicator of democratic activity and strengthening rule of law, highlighting the role of women and the Malian diaspora in national unity.

Related diplomatic engagement
- On 21 August, President Goïta held talks in Bamako with Rimtâlba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, who had arrived on a working visit on 20 August. The program included inter‑delegation meetings and participation in the second anniversary celebration of the "Mali Civil Brigade," an initiative created by Malian authorities to strengthen national cohesion.

Implications
- The reports and the president's stance signal potential policy shifts toward reforming land administration, streamlining public services and addressing environmental and security impacts of artisanal mining. Continued collaboration between the executive and the Ombudsperson could lead to legislative or administrative changes aimed at improving citizens' access to justice and public services.