The Security-Development Nexus in Mali: China's Evolving Role Amidst Geopolitical Shifts

Purpose: This paper analyzes the security-development nexus in Mali, exploring the primary research question: How does China’s "development-first" approach influence Mali's security landscape? The study aims to demonstrate that a collaborative, development-oriented model offers a viable pathway to sustainable stability, moving beyond traditional, militarized security-centric approaches. Methods: The study first establishes a theoretical framework for the security-development nexus, drawing from both traditional and critical perspectives. It then applies this framework to a case study of Mali, using socioeconomic and political indicators such as GDP, FDI, access to electricity, literacy rates, and political stability to highlight the intertwined nature of the country's security and developmental deficits since the 1990s. Finally, the research assesses the characteristics and outcomes of China's cooperation with Mali. Results: The findings show that Mali has made progress in certain developmental areas, such as GDP and electricity access, but continues to face significant challenges, including a sharp decline in political stability. The analysis of China's engagement reveals a "development-first" approach centered on mutual benefit and local agency, which offers a valuable alternative to conventional interventions. This collaborative model, focusing on infrastructure and economic projects, can contribute to more durable security outcomes by addressing underlying developmental deficits. Conclusion: The paper concludes that collaborative, development-oriented engagement can offer a viable pathway to sustainable security by recognizing Mali as an active partner in its own future. The study’s focus on developmental aspects and local agency contributes to the literature by providing a nuanced and timely analysis of international engagement in fragile states. Keywords: Security-Development Nexus, Mali, China, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics, African Security DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/16-1-03 Publication date: January 30 th 2026