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They met in Senegal, she is of French origin. Lisa and Aboubakry got married in Africa, but it was difficult for them to have their marriage recognized in France. For Brut, they tell their story.
Having their marriage recognized in France was more complicated than they had imagined. Lisa, French, and Aboubakry, Senegalese, want to get married in Senegal, where they live together. The lovers then want their union to be recognized in France as well. But from the beginning, the steps tire the couple. “When you are French and you want to get married abroad, you have to go through what is called the CCAM, the certificate of capacity to marry, which you have to request from the French consulate to have the right to marry abroad”, says Lisa. They will only receive the paper 6 months later.
“We then got married at the town hall of Diofior, where Abou lives and where we both met.”, continue Lisa. “It was a bit complicated because I don’t think they are used to mixed marriages. So they wanted us to recognize a marriage… – Religious marriage!” ajute Aboubakry. “Since we are in Senegal, the mixed marriage, many town halls have never done it. And if the town hall has never done it and it writes certain things, the embassy will reject the marriage transcription, to recognize the marriage.”
“Our transcription came out in November but it was in December that they warned us, at the end of December even”, describes Aboubakry. No less than eleven months passed between the beginning of their steps and the final recognition. But the couple now want to focus on their new married life. “The joy of living, love and being with the person you love is more important than the waiting time“, concludes the young man.