Welcome to week 10 of prayers for the nations. Last week we went to Israel 🇮🇱, this week we are going to Mali 🇲🇱
Country – Mali
Capital City – Bamako
Population – 23.29 million
Main religion – Islam (95%)
Prime minister/leader – Abdoulaye Maïga
What should we know about Mali?
Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa and the eighth-largest in Africa, covering over 1.24 million square kilometers. It borders Algeria, Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Senegal. As of 2024, Mali has a population of about 23.29 million, with nearly half under the age of 15. The capital and largest city is Bamako. Mali has 13 official languages, with Bambara being the most widely spoken.
Mali’s northern region extends deep into the Sahara Desert, while its more populated southern area lies in the Sudanian savanna, with the Niger and Senegal rivers running through it. The economy is based on agriculture and mining, particularly gold (Africa’s third-largest producer) and salt.
Historically, Mali was part of the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires, which controlled trans-Saharan trade. The Mali Empire peaked in the 14th century under Mansa Musa, famed for his immense wealth. Timbuktu became a major center of Islamic learning. The Songhai Empire later absorbed Mali before being defeated in 1591.
In the late 19th century, France colonized the area, forming French Sudan. Mali gained independence in 1960 after a short-lived union with Senegal. It became a democratic state following a 1991 coup and the adoption of a new constitution.
A major conflict erupted in 2012 when Tuareg rebels declared independence in northern Mali (Azawad), leading to a coup and later French military intervention (Operation Serval). Though much of the territory was retaken, unrest persisted. In the early 2020s, Mali experienced two military coups led by Assimi Goïta.
Who is the leader of the country?
Maïga is a lieutenant colonel in the Malian National Gendarmerie, a military force responsible for civilian law enforcement. He holds advanced degrees in international security, defense, and law from institutions in Algiers, Paris, Lyon, and Évry. His academic work includes a thesis on ECOWAS’s credibility in ensuring peace and security.
Professionally, Maïga has worked in ECOWAS’s terrorism prevention directorate and as a police officer with the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Though not involved in the 2020 coup led by Assimi Goïta, he is considered close to Goïta and became a key figure in the government’s break with France following the second coup in 2021.
He was appointed Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation in June 2021 and later became the government’s spokesperson. On 21 November 2024, the ruling junta named him interim prime minister.
What areas need prayer?
Mali faces a multitude of problems, primarily stemming from persistent conflict, climate change, and economic hardship. Key issues include: political instability, security threats from armed groups, widespread poverty, food insecurity, and humanitarian needs.
Let’s pray…
Father God, thank you that you are sovereign over all and that nothing is beyond your reach and control. In a world that seems to be spinning further into chaos we can rest assured that you are still on the throne! Nobody and no power can stand against you. We come before you and lift up the nation of Mali into your powerful hands. We pray for security in that land and for peace due to the ongoing civil war since 2012. We pray for the you get generation to be influenced by the Holy Spirit and not by war. We pray for your hand to move mightily in the government that they may bow the knee to Jesus Christ and submit to the power of God. We pray for the nation to be evangelised with the gospel and that you will bring revival to that land. May the armed groups be disarmed and lay down their weapons and surrender to peace. May you stabilise the government and put Godly leaders in church. May the Islamic people come to know the power of God through dreams and visions. We pray for provision of food and basic needs such as housing and clothing. Your will be done and your Kingdom come, in Jesus Christ name – amen 🙏
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
Psalm 102:15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the Kings on the earth will revere your glory.
Psalm 86:9 All the nations you have created Lord will come and worship before you, Oh Lord, they will bring glory to your name.
Source for nations – https://www.visionofhumanity.org/maps/#/
Other resources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdoulaye_Ma%C3%AFga_(officer) & https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali
Next post – we are going to Somali 🇸🇴
Catch up on the previous post here – Prayers for the nations #9 (Israel)
Love and God bless
Deano
Want to purchase my book? Click the link to find out more – https://amzn.eu/d/eayyEFC
Check out my English man abroad videos on TikTok and explore Portugal – https://www.tiktok.com/@englishmanabroad7?_t=ZN-8svSbtFzJUV&_r=1
Do you enjoy rap music – follow me on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lavishrhymes/profilecard/?igsh=djh2emVkaWp3dDVz
Gospel road 66 