La controverse autour du code des personnes et de la famille au Mali : enjeux et stratégies des acteurs

The objective of this thesis is to analyze and understand the dynamics surrounding the controversy following the adoption of the Code of Persons and Family in Mali in 2009. It is particularly interested by the main issues, that is to say, the questions at the root of this controversy and the strategies implemented by different social actors (Islamic organizations and their allies, on the one hand, and women's organizations and theirs, on the other) in order to influence the process. In addition to the “why” and the “how” of this controversy, our research focuses on the understanding of the process assessment made by the actors involved, the feeling that animates them at the end of this long process, their appreciation of their experience, and their vision of the future.    To investigate this issue, we have chosen collective action protest's approach, which inspired both theories of collective action, and those of social movements and protest dynamic. In order to analyze the stakes of this controversy, the strategies used by the actors and their assessment of the process, we opted for a qualitative approach. In addition to the gray literature, newspaper articles, audio and audiovisual materials on the subject, our field work during four months in the Malian capital has allowed us to make several interviews with the actors involved in this process. Stretching from 1996 to 2011, namely for sixteen years, the redaction of the Persons and Family Law in Mali was a long, complex, unusual and controversial process. Our research findings reveal that several issues, notably those social, were at the heart of this controversy:  "duty obedience" of the wife to her husband, legalization of religious marriage, gender "equality" with regard to inheritance, and recognition of the illegitimate child were the questions that have generated the most debate. If during the whole process, questions related to gender equality, respect for women and children’s rights were the arguments defended by women's organizations and their allies, those relating to the respect of religious (Islamic), societal or sociocultural values of Mali were, on the contrary, put forward by Islamic’s organizations and their allies.   Thus, if the discourse of women's organizations focused mainly on the "respect of gender equality" in accordance with international commitments signed by Mali, the discourse of Islamic organizations has, however, focused on the "respect of Islamic and socio-cultural values" of Mali. As for communication channels, women's CSOs have focused on traditional channels like press, radio, conferences, among others. Islamic CSOs have also used these channels, but they have distinguished themselves from women's CSOs by using also sermons. Generally organized in mosques and other spaces designated for that purpose, these sermons have consecrated the victory of Islamic CSOs. Islamic radios have also played an important role in the transmission of their messages.  Concerning the strategies of action, the collective action that changed the situation in favor of the Islamic OSCs (resending the code for a second reading, inclusion of their ideas) was the meeting of August 22nd, 2009 in Bamako, preceded by protest marches in the national capital and all regional capitals of the country. As for women's CSOs, they have only carried out some classic (or usual) actions like petitions, advocacy-lobbying, conferences and debates, to the point that some observers spoke of "inaction strategy" on their part. The analysis also revealed the use of unusual strategies of threats and intimidation by some actors of Islamic camp towards to the supporters of the code. If each group of actors has formed alliances with local actors, women's CSOs are the only ones to recognize alliances with external actors. Today, if most members of Islamic CSOs don't hide their satisfaction with their "victory" and present themselves like "savior of the Malian nation", most members of women CSOs, meanwhile, say that they are very "disappointed" and "indignant" against the adoption of the current code. They don’t understand why from a "progressive code ", Mali ended up with a "retrograde and discriminatory code" towards women.   The thesis confirms the difficult reconciliation of customary law, Islamic law and modern law, but it also suggests the idea that the law remains an expression of power relations and domination. Finally, our research confirms the now unavoidable influence of religious actors on the public policy making process in Mali.

Keyphrases: actions collectives, protestations, alliances, Mali, Family law, issues, collective actions, protest, alliances, communication strategies, organizations of women's civil society, organizations of Islamic’s civil society, Mali