obsolete and unsuitable, essential equipement items are outdated or unusable, procedures are old-fashioned, logistics are ridiculously poor and budget provisions insignificant relatively to the assigned missions. Meanwhile, security requirements are increasing, becoming more complex and pressing, due to the democratisation and decentralisation processes, cross-border crime and international terrorism. Faced with such an unpleasant situation, security forces and security departments decided to make an actual situation analysis and brainstorm on their general operating conditions, within the framework of a wide consultation drive involving all the sectors of the society. The aim is to bring up powerful ideas which would enable them to ensure the security of the country as a whole, under the best conditions possible, with the support of government authorities, political class, civil society, private sector, technical and financial partners. The ultimate goal is to integrate the Security Sector in the global democratic governance. Needless to say that security is a precious public property and a cost to be borne to achieve development. Managing security requires a collective commitment of the society. The disturbing national and sub-regional security situation notwithstanding, the said goal could still be achieved, considering the seemingly favourable conditions for the emergence of a new governance of peace and security in Mali. In fact, the country is making tremendous efforts to entrench democracy and respect of human rights. Individual and collective freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution. The President of the Republic has taken a range of good governance measures, particularly through consultative bodies such as the Presidential Investment Council. As for the government, it has adopted a State Reform Programme, with the purpose of raising living standard, reformulating missions, roles and responsibilities of the different components of the society. 99