The Malian transition authorities continue to tout the ‘growing strength’ of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) and their sovereign control over national territory. Yet the opening of the Military Tribunal of Mopti’s session in Sévaré on 19 October 2026 shatters this narrative. With 72 defendants—69 of them soldiers—on trial for 43 cases ranging from arms trafficking to desertion and violent crimes, the courtroom exposes an institution riddled with deep structural dysfunctions.
Stolen state weapons empower terrorist groups
Among the most damning revelations is the mishandling of military equipment. Nearly half of the cases involve the loss, theft, diversion, or trafficking of weapons, ammunition, and magazines. Behind the legal jargon lies a harsh security reality: a significant portion of the regulated arsenal issued to troops ends up directly in the hands of Mali’s enemies.
In the central and northern operational zones, equipment siphoned from official stocks—whether through negligence, corruption, or active complicity—finds its way to fighters of the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). While Bamako repeatedly condemns alleged external support for terrorist groups, the Sévaré tribunal reveals a toxic supply chain thriving within military barracks and ammunition depots. The irony is bitter: Malian soldiers often fall under fire from weapons purchased with national funds.
Desertions and abuses break the military’s bond with civilians
The surge in desertion cases, identified by the military prosecutor as the second most common offence, signals a moral collapse within the ranks. The growing number of soldiers abandoning their posts or leaving under irregular circumstances reflects a breakdown of discipline that martial rhetoric about ‘sacrifice’ can no longer conceal. Despite repeated calls for reintegration and ultimatums from high command, the trend persists, weakening frontline manpower.
Even more alarming are the charges of murder, torture, kidnapping, and sexual violence brought against military personnel. These atrocities against civilians confirm long-standing warnings from human rights organisations. By alienating local communities, such abuses cut the army off from its primary intelligence source and fuel insurgent propaganda, which portrays these groups as protectors against state excesses.
A struggling military justice system adds to the crisis
The very judicial process in Mopti suffers from glaring weaknesses. Presented as an act of transparency and rigour, the tribunal’s proceedings instead highlight the chronic delays of an overwhelmed military justice system. The prosecution cites insecurity, a shortage of magistrates, and geographical isolation as reasons for infrequent hearings. Yet this neglect results in prolonged pretrial detention, condemned by the Malian Bar Association, with some defendants languishing in prison for years before facing a judge.
A call for self-reform at the highest levels
For Colonel Assimi Goïta and the supreme command, the Sévaré trials must not be treated as mere routine cleanup or a public relations exercise. They represent a stark warning: no military strategy can succeed if the chain of command allows weapons to leak to the enemy, if discipline crumbles on the front lines, and if justice operates sporadically. Before demanding blind trust from the population, Mali’s defence apparatus must first address its own failures and close the loopholes draining its strength.