2026 Theses Master's

Colonial Legacies, Political Transitions, and Land Tenure: Examining the Roots of Corruption and Land Ownership Inequality in Bamako, Mali

Dembele, Sarake

Land ownership and security in Bamako, Mali, have been deeply shaped and influenced by the legacy of French colonial land policies, postindependence corruption, and ongoing conflict. During colonization, the French replaced communal land systems with formal ownership structures that favored elites and excluded rural and low income residents, creating long lasting inequality in land access.

After independence, these systems were not reformed but instead became tools for political gain. Government officials sold public land to private developers or even to friends without producing legitimate paperwork, deepening inequality and weakening trust in state institutions. Many residents now rely on informal settlements with no legal protection, facing constant risk of eviction and limited access to basic services.

This research argues that Bamako’s current land tenure insecurity stems from the combined effects of colonial land systems, corrupt governance, and conflict driven displacement. By analyzing historical land policies, political decisions, and local experiences, the study will show how these overlapping forces continue to produce unequal land ownership and urban instability in Bamako today.