Mali Transition Initiative (MTI) Quarterly Report FY2014 - Q1

Agency for International Development (USAID) in June 2013. During the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2014, activity development and implementation accelerated, particularly in the Timbuktu region. The National Initiatives team worked to close activities related to the legislative elections while laying the foundation for a strategic partnership with the Ministry of National Reconciliation. The country situation remains challenging, with a slow pace of economic recovery from the political crisis. The democratically-elected government is struggling to address the demands of the Malian people, and communication from key government figures is not meeting expectations. The lack of progress toward a final peace agreement between the government and northern armed groups, particularly the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), is a major concern. However, support and progress toward national reconciliation appear to have gained greater traction, with the National Assembly ratifying the decree creating the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission. The program's activities and support in the Timbuktu Region accelerated, with a focus on improving information about the transition and promoting reconciliation. MTI supported the Regional Youth Council to organize a cultural competition between Timbuktu's eight neighborhoods, which generated a demonstrable shift in the perceptions among the population of Timbuktu town that peace and security had returned. The competition was attended by thousands of people and marked the largest public event held since the end of the occupation. MTI also replicated the pilot approach taken in Douentza Cercle by carrying out local reconciliation forums in Niafunke Cercle. The program piloted its M&E hotline, which proved a powerful tool in gathering data about perceptions among participants and citizens about the event. The hotline was manned by hotline agents who responded to callers in local languages and input data in response to short survey questionnaires designed by the MTI team. The program worked with a local artists' association, Kassobane, and acclaimed American artist Janet Goldner to carry out a two-week workshop for 26 Malian artists focused on the themes of peace and reconciliation. Two exhibitions, one in Mopti and the other in Bamako, brought together Malian artists, patrons of the arts, and citizens to view the artworks developed during the workshop. Budget information for the quarter shows that $6,650,000.00 was approved for operations, with $3,390,188.95 spent to date, leaving a balance of $3,259,811.05. For TAP, $6,650,000.00 was approved, with $1,497,173.82 spent, leaving a balance of $5,152,826.18. The total approved budget for the quarter was $13,300,000.00, with $4,887,362.77 spent, leaving a balance of $8,412,637.23. Operations accounted for 50% of the approved budget, with 69% spent to date. Activities accounted for 50% of the approved budget, with 31% spent to date.