Action Research for Environmental Justice: A Malian Case Study on Resource Governance, 2004

Background: A research gap exists in African Studies regarding environmental justice movements in resource-rich African nations. This study focuses on Mali during 2004 to examine this issue within the specific context of resource governance. Purpose and objectives: The purpose was to investigate the dynamics of environmental justice in Mali during 2004. The objectives were to clarify key debates, identify practical implications of local action, and outline a focused agenda for relevant scholarship and policy. Methodology: This action research study employed a qualitative, case study methodology centred on Mali in 2004. It utilised data from fieldwork, including participant observation and interviews with community members and local stakeholders, framed by analysis of contemporary literature and policy documents from the period. Findings: The study found that communities faced persistent structural constraints in influencing resource governance. However, it also documented emerging, locally innovated strategies for mobilisation and claim-making. The evidence from 2004 indicated that the capacity for collective action was unevenly distributed across different localities and sectors. Conclusion: The research concludes that understanding environmental justice in Mali requires context-specific analysis. It argues for future work to build upon stronger empirical foundations that capture localised experiences and agency. Recommendations: Stakeholders should prioritise inclusive, locally grounded strategies in governance. Policymakers and institutions must improve transparency and access to data concerning resource extraction and its impacts to support informed community engagement. Key words: environmental justice, resource governance, Mali, action research, African Studies Contribution statement: This study provides an empirical analysis of environmental justice mobilisation in Mali during 2004, contributing a detailed case study to the literature on resource politics and community action in Africa.