7 months after banning it, Mali's junta allows sale of Starlink satellite internet kits

Mali’s junta has authorised the import and sale of Starlink satellite internet kits, after banning them over fears they could be used by armed groups in the vast and poorly connected state.

Starlink’s network of low Earth orbit satellites can provide internet to remote locations or areas that have had normal communications infrastructure disabled.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink kits typically consist of a router, a receiving antenna and power supply.

Mali’s military-led authorities in March said they had become aware of the unauthorised use of the kits by non-state organisations and private individuals, as well as in the volatile north and eastern regions plagued by separatist and jihadist groups.

“The uncontrolled and illicit use of this technology, which has not been approved in Mali, may encourage the actions of armed terrorist groups to flourish and constitutes a breach of market rules,” the junta said at the time.

In late March, authorities announced they would “dismantle and ban Starlink terminals throughout the country”.

The junta has lifted the ban for a period of six months following a review with internet providers, regulators and licensed operators, according to the minutes of a Wednesday cabinet meeting which were posted on the presidency’s website.

“This period will be used to put in place a regulatory framework and a platform for registering and identifying all Starlink users and equipment in our country,” the statement said.

The minutes from the cabinet meeting noted that despite the ban, kits that had already been sold and installed were still operating and “may be in the wrong hands”.

Mali has been ruled by a military junta since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.

The country is battling a political, security and economic crisis and has since 2012 been ravaged by different factions affiliated to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.