Abstract

Resumé:

In Mali, the narrative of a civil division between the pro- and anti-coup coalitions, although not entirely groundless, uncritically lumped together heterogeneous historical movements, dynamic political stances and involvements. More disturbingly, it promulgated the stereotypes of the modern and democratic Malian state versus regressive and/or conservative gullible masses. In fact, all political actors went through sets of tactical adjustments with different interests and motivations throughout the crisis and elections. To contribute to the understanding of those political positions and divisions, the paper explains those moves and readjustments and contextualizes them, insisting on the role of the street and of public and semi-public events. What does it mean to “take to the streets” in Mali since 1991? The literature focused on social and political consensus has paid little attention to the importance of contentious politics in Mali – a fact that led many to be surprised by the intense political mobilization around the coup and its aftermath. We draw here on original data from recent administrative archives and participant observation, and on an ethnography of public or semi-public events such as: the national convention in May 2012, the continuously postponed public debate requested by COPAM, and the Ministry of National Reconciliation and Development of the North.

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