Report on Citizenship Law Mali Heather Alexander 1. Introduction1 Mali has a relatively liberal nationality2 regime, but its turbulent political history has greatly impacted its ability to implement its nationality laws. In particular, historical divisions between what are now northern Mali, central Mali, and southern Mali have led to armed conflict and impacted the ability of Mali to implement its laws and register its citizens.3 Like many countries in the region, Mali suffers from low rates of civil registration, which impacts its ability to apply its laws.4 Mali’s nationality law is a product of its colonial history. The region now known as Mali was once dominated by large kingdoms with their own systems of belonging based on allegiance. Following a period of instability and fragmentation, the arrival of the French marked a new phase. Like many West African countries, Mali’s nationality laws have been influenced by the tension between the norms of Islamic and customary law and those of European and international law. Mali is a country in West Africa encompassing 1,240,000 square km, with a population of approximately 18.5-19 million people, though gaps in the census make this an approximation. Mali is very diverse, containing over 40 languages and multiple ethnic groups. Over 90% of the population is Muslim. The vast majority of the population live in large cities and in southern Mali.5 Mali is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and participates in the free movement of people under the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment. The history of Malian nationality law since the territory was first delineated within its current borders may be divided into four key periods: (1) the period from 1946 and the passage 1 Special thanks to Michael Offermann, author of « Les risques d'apatridie au Mali et pour les Maliens vivant à l’étranger en application des législations et pratiques relatives à la nationalité, au Mali et dans les pays d’accueil de Maliens » (unpublished UNHCR draft report). 2 Note that the term ‘nationality’ is used throughout in place of ‘citizenship’ for consistency and clarity; since it is the term used in Mali’s domestic legislation. ‘Citizenship’ is used in relation to the French colonial period, as the term in French law for a person with civil and political rights. 3 All of Mali’s laws, guidelines and procedures relating to nationality are contained in the Journaux officiels du Mali, available online from the Malian Government at: http://sgg-mali.ml/1/60/fr/journal-officiel/le-journalofficiel.html?page=0&row=60&lang=fr. 4 B. Manby, ‘Nationality, Migration and Statelessness in West Africa: A study for UNHCR and IOM’ (June 2015). 5 Facts about Mali are taken from the United States Central Intelligence Agency World Fact Book at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ml.html (accessed 12/20/19). RSCAS/GLOBALCIT-CR 2020/11 - © 2020 Author(s) 1