Niono and Djenné in Mali: the same actors, contradictory dynamics
A village near Djenné in central Mali, in February 2020. (illustrative image) AFP - MICHELE CATTANI
Text by: David Baché
3 min
Several dozen people were killed in the circle of Djenné last week, during clashes between traditional dozo hunters and jihadists from the Katiba Macina.
And this while, still in the center of the country, dozo hunters and the Katiba Macina sealed a ceasefire agreement in the Niono circle a month ago.
How to interpret these contradictory dynamics?
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In the circle of Niono, hunters dozos and katiba Macina, affiliated with Jnim (Support group for Islam and Muslims) of Iyad Ag Ghaly and therefore in Aqmi, sealed a ceasefire agreement there is one month, with the blessing of the national authorities, while a few hundred kilometers away, the same actors resume the murderous violence
in the circle of Djenné
.
How to understand these contradictory dynamics, how to interpret them?
David Baché asked Boubacar Ba, a researcher specializing in central Mali and director of the Center for Analysis on Governance and Security in the Sahel.
“
These contradictory dynamics are linked to two
(different, editor's note) situations
.
The Niono area is an area where the Mujahedin had been in conflict for several months
(with the Dozo hunters, note).
There have been a lot of losses on both sides and they were able to reach a minimum agreement a month ago, which has been made final in recent days.
They too needed a lull, it suited both parties.
While in Djenné, there has been a tension for some time between the Moudjahidins, established in the area, and the Dozos who were taking up space and trying to occupy certain villages.
"
►
To read and listen also: Behind the scenes of the Niono agreement in Mali [1/4]
For the researcher, the katiba Macina jihadists therefore had to show their strength and ensure control of the territory: “
the katiba Macina negotiated in Niono from a position of strength, by imposing certain rules. She thinks she can do it in this area too, but for some time now, the dozo hunters of Djenné and Mopti have had reinforcements from Bandiagara. It was therefore necessary for the mujahedin to show their muscles, to show that they are still the masters of the place (able) to define the rules of Sharia and the management of local power in this area.
"
In the summer of 2019, an inter-community agreement made it possible to establish a certain calm in the circle of Djenné.
These latest violence obviously raise fears of a new cycle of violence.
“
The violence can continue,
recognizes researcher Boubacar Ba
.
Each had reinforcements, but the arrival of the army proved to be a deterrent.
Currently, everyone is in their peripheral positions, around Djenné and Mopti.
But it cannot be ruled out that new reinforcements will arrive and new fights will arise, unless the actors stand up, if the community leaders stand up, to ask people to stop and try to obtain a ceasefire. -fire, even precarious.
"
►
To read and listen also: What does the Niono agreement contain in Mali?
[2/4]
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