At the International Donors Conference in May, Mali was promised more than 3 billion euro. The amount was higher than expected and underscores the importance placed on Mali’s stability worldwide. Basically, the funds are urgently needed because the humanitarian situation in parts of the country is extremely volatile. Hundreds of thousands of Malians are still trying to flee the country, and face the threat of food shortages. In order to overcome this crisis, Mali needs more than emergency aid: The country also needs support for sustainable development. However, the transition from emergency aid to development cooperation following the military intervention poses huge challenges. Many donors have placed conditions on their payments: for example, that Mali should stick to the predetermined roadmap, return to democratic order, strengthen the jury system and ensure that human rights are upheld. Given the precarious security situation, weak governmental institutions and widespread corruption, it is hard to imagine how the funds are to be successfully applied.
