without any serious checking. Islamic networks and sects, under cover of charity organisations, are proliferating in Mali. Though, the constitution provides for freedom of religion and worship, such freedom is governed by law. Dating back to 1961 and somewhat obsolete, the relevant law is the only legal reference instrument on religious issues. It should be respected by the Malian citizens as well as by alien residents in Mali. Ø Indiscriminate Circulation of Weapons. Weapons and ammunitions are subjected to a law dating back to the colonial era but which has recently been adapted to current requirements. Meanwhile, light weapons, made locally or smuggled into the country and other types of weapons of war freely circulate in private hands. The consequences of such a situation can easily be imagined with regard to high crime rate and possible attempts against internal security of the State. Despite efforts made within the framework of ECOWAS Moratorium and Convention on small arms and light weapons, the problem is still quite disturbing for the Malian authorities as well as for the populations. Ø Inter-Community Problems. They are the fallouts of recurrent land-related litigations, chieftaincy and mosque-related issues, post-electoral disputes, at times fuelled by court decisions and implementation of the decentralisation process. However, today, our collective conscience is being questioned, considering the high number of human casualties. Often, inter­community conflicts are recurrent, dating back to years or even several generations. They are kept burning by contradictory decisions taken by the administrative and/or judicial authorities, affecting more than half of the 11,000 villages that currently exist in Mali. These conflicts are real time-bombs which, if ignited, could cause old demons to wake up. They are therefore security problems with unpredictable consequences, often the sources of dramatic situations. Even though relevant solutions belong to other quarters, it is the prime responsibility of security forces to keep a close watch on sources of tension with a view to quick intervention whenever required. 31