LAWAL, TIMOTHEW and Covenant University, Theses Masters (2024) THE POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTS OF FRANCE IN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN MALI. Masters thesis, Covenant University.
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Abstract
France’s political engagements in Mali, stemming from historical colonial ties and recent military interventions, have raised questions about their influence on the democratic governance of Mali. Despite efforts to stabilise the region, Mali continues to experience political instability, corruption, and challenges in establishing robust democratic institutions. This study aims to investigate the effect of France's political engagements on Mali's democratic governance. It seeks to understand how French interventions have shaped Mali's electoral processes, political participation, and human rights, and how these engagements have influenced the country's political stability and governance structures. Grounded in dependency theory, the study examines how historical and ongoing economic and political relationships between developed and developing countries perpetuate inequality and dependency. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, focusing on document analysis. This method involved a systematic review of government reports, historical records, media articles, scholarly works and NGO reports to gain comprehensive insights into the historical, political, and social dimensions of France’s influence on Mali's governance. The study also included interviews with key stakeholders and experts on Franco-Malian relations. The analysis reveals that France's political engagements, particularly the military intervention in 2013, have had a complex effect on Mali's democratic governance. While the intervention helped to curb immediate security threats, it did not address deep-seated issues such as systemic corruption, weak institutional frameworks, and the lack of accountability. Moreover, the intervention has inadvertently strengthened authoritarian elements within the Malian leadership, thereby undermining democratic processes and exacerbating socio-political divisions. France's political engagements in Mali, while beneficial in addressing short-term security concerns, have not significantly contributed to the enhancement of democratic governance. The persistent influence of France has often undermined Mali’s sovereignty and democratic processes, leading to increased political instability and fragmentation. The historical context of neo-colonialism and international clientelism continues to shape the political landscape of Mali. To promote sustainable democratic governance in Mali, it is crucial to minimize foreign interference and focus on strengthening internal political and institutional frameworks. International stakeholders should support initiatives that foster inclusive governance, transparency, and human rights. Malian leaders must prioritise addressing internal divisions and systemic issues to build a more stable and democratic political environment. Enhanced local ownership of governance processes is essential for achieving long-term political stability and development.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Democratic Governance; Political Engagements; Sovereignty; Electoral Processes; Human Rights; Military Intervention; Political Participation; Inclusive Governance. |
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JF Political institutions (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Humanities Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences |
| Depositing User: | nwokealisi |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Sep 2024 11:25 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Sep 2024 11:25 |
| URI: | http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/18436 |
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