Burundi and Mali have adopted strikingly similar strategies for preserving authoritarian rule by portraying foreign governments and regional rivals as existential threats, despite facing different political and security environments. In Mali, the military government has used sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and France’s waning influence to rally public support, while framing Algeria as a regional adversary. Burundi’s government has similarly accused Belgium and neighboring Rwanda of attempting to destabilize the country. Analysts argue these external enemies help deflect attention from economic hardship, governance failures, and corruption while strengthening regime legitimacy. The strategy has allowed the ruling elite in both countries to gain greater political cohesion and public backing. In contrast, it has resulted in opposition groups and democratic institutions losing space to challenge government authority.
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