In the section on the methods of acquiring Malian citizenship, Law No. 95-098 of 1995 amending the Malian Code of Nationality indicates that a foreign man who marries a Malian woman may apply for Malian citizenship three years after the marriage (United States Mar. 2001).

The following information was obtained from a representative of the Malian Ministry of Justice by the President of the Malian Human Rights Association (Association malienne des droits de l'homme, AMDH), who in turn provided it to the Research Directorate during a 15 September 2003 telephone interview.

Law No. 95-098 of 1995 is the legislation currently in effect concerning Malian citizenship. It specifies that a foreign man who marries a Malian woman may acquire Malian citizenship after three years of marriage.

To do this, the applicant must provide the following documents: application for naturalization along with a CFAF100 stamp, birth certificate, residence certificate, police record, certificate of good conduct and behaviour, certificate of non-conviction, judicial guarantee, affidavit signed by two Malian citizens, and police investigation report.

Applications for naturalization are submitted to the closest judge's office if they are made in Mali, or to Malian embassies or consulates abroad if made outside the country. The judges and offices representing Mali abroad then transmit them to the Malian Ministry of Justice.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Association malienne des droits de l'homme (AMDH), Bamako. 15 September 2003. Telephone interview with the President.

United States. March 2001. Office of Personnel Management Investigations Service. "Mali." Citizenship Laws of the World. http://www.opm.gov/extra/investigate/is-01.pdf [Accessed 15 Sept. 2003]

The Malian Embassy in Ottawa did not respond to a letter requesting information within the time constraints.

Dialog

IRB Databases

Resource Centre country file. Mali

Internet sites, including:

Government of Mali

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)