Mali Junta Tightens Grip on Civil Explosives with New China-Backed Venture
Bamako, Mali – In a move to bolster security and reduce reliance on imports, Mali’s military government has announced the creation of a state-controlled explosives company in partnership with Chinese investors. The new firm, Société Industrielle du Centre du Mali FARATCHI-CO-SA, will see the Malian state hold a 51% majority stake.
The venture is designed to secure the supply of explosives for the mining sector, quarries, and major civil engineering projects, while bringing the production and distribution of these sensitive materials under tighter state oversight.
Since 2022, the ruling junta has steadily tightened regulations governing civil-use explosives, part of a broader effort to combat terrorism and curb the spread of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Militant groups across the Sahel, including in Mali, have frequently used illicit explosives in attacks against security forces and civilians.
“This initiative will allow Mali to meet its national needs, ensure strict control, and end our dependence on imports for these strategic products,” a government statement said.
The partnership highlights Mali’s deepening economic and security cooperation with China, which has become a significant investor in the region’s mining and infrastructure sectors. Analysts note that state-controlled production will give authorities greater ability to monitor and track explosives from manufacture to end-use, a critical step in preventing diversion to armed groups.
The mining industry, a cornerstone of Mali’s economy, relies heavily on explosives for extraction. By localizing production, the government also aims to shield key economic sectors from potential supply disruptions and currency fluctuations.
Security experts have welcomed the move as a logical step in hardening the regulatory environment but caution that effective oversight and enforcement will be essential for the policy to achieve its security objectives.
The establishment of the new company marks the junta’s latest effort to assert sovereign control over strategic resources and security mechanisms amid an ongoing fight against insurgencies that have plagued the country for over a decade.
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