How a military coup led to African agency: An analysis of Mali’s foreign policy changes under competitive authoritarian rule.

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis was to investigate Mali's foreign policy since the country's change from a democratic to a competitive authoritarian regime in 2020, as well as the country's current geopolitical position. The analysis in the first chapter reveals that, under democratic rule, Mali was heavily reliant on foreign assistance and colonial mechanisms such as French control over the country's policy decisions. From a postcolonial standpoint, it is then asserted that Mali's transition from democracy to competitive authoritarianism has been accompanied by a vehement rejection of colonial frameworks in the nation's foreign policy. This is how Mali exhibits African agency; its post-coup d'état foreign policy is marked by an independent posture. Malians' support for the current foreign policy of the country, explains the legitimacy of the present administration. The most prevalent understanding of the country's geopolitical situation among Malians supports this assertion. Namely, one that is still making an effort to extricate itself from imperial systems. Moreover, it is noted that Mali is more suited to cooperating with authoritarian states like Russia, Turkey, and China. This bolstered Mali's commitment to African agency in the nation's foreign policy by providing the country with the resources it needs to avoid dependence on France or any other postcolonial, imperial structure.