POST-KOLONYAL BATI AFRİKA’DA DİN VE DEVLET İLİŞKİLERİ: MALİ, BURKİNA FASO VE FİLDİŞİ SAHİLİ’NDE LAİKLİK ALGISI VE UYGULAMALARI

Secularism, as a principle that seeks to define the boundaries between religion and the state, took shape in the West, particularly from the 18th century onward, and was transmitted to different societies through modernization processes. Enlightenment thought aimed to detach political and social spheres from religious authority and viewed secularism as a crucial tool for this transformation. With modernization, the West presented secularism as a cultural norm, and this approach was extended to various regions during the colonial era. This article examines the formation, development, and current state of secularism in the former French colonies of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast in West Africa through a comparative lens. By analyzing the religious and socio-demographic structures of these three countries, the study explores how secularism has evolved. It evaluates constitutional texts, the relationship between religion and politics, the impact of secularism on education, perceptions of secularism among different religious groups, and the role of religion in public life within a comparative framework. Methodologically, the study employs historical, descriptive, and critical analysis methods. The findings indicate that cultural, historical, and political dynamics significantly complicate the implementation of secularism. In Mali, Islam has historically deeply influenced social and political structures and continues to play a decisive role in state policies today. In contrast, in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, the Catholic Church exerts a strong influence on political and public life. This comparative analysis aims to shed light on how secularism has evolved in the post-colonial state-building process and to open a new discussion on the applicability of secularism in societies with different religious traditions.