It is only temporary, but can bring a breath of fresh air to the inhabitants of this circle in central Mali in the region of Ségou, who have lived under the yoke of jihadist warriors for almost six months. -Qaïda in the Islamic Maghreb, has entered into a ceasefire agreement with the traditional dozo hunters who try to secure the populations but are also accused of abusing the Fulani community.
The last meeting took place on Sunday evening in the bush near Niono. On the one hand about a hundred traditional Dozo hunters on the other hand about a hundred jihadists from Katiba Macina affiliated with the Support Group for Islam and Muslims and therefore al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, all armed.
In the middle, there were eight envoys from the High Islamic Council in Mali, who the authorities had the mandate to lead these negotiations, which according to HCI resulted in a temporary ceasefire agreement.
Free movement for one month
Jihadists and dozos have temporarily agreed to let the people throughout Niono’s circle circulate: Bambaras, Fulani, all can now go and cultivate their fields or sell their cattle.
The jihadists are holding a dozen prisoners, whom they have also committed to release.
As for the traditional dozo hunters, they will let the jihadists enter the villages to preach – and it only takes a few weeks to give the instructions throughout the circle.
The cadets will also be able to dispense justice for the peoples who want it. But the mandatory use of the hijab and the tax of zakat are no longer mentioned, still according to HCI’s brokers. Finally, jihadists and dozo hunters agree to forgive each other for the warriors from both camps who were killed and for the material damage.
Farabougou and the Malian army
But this agreement is only valid for one month, and the case of Farabougou is dealt with separately: this village, which has become symbolic, has been blocked by jihadists since the beginning of October despite the arrival of the Malian soldiers. Katiba Macina demands that the military leave Farabougou within a month, otherwise the ceasefire will no longer be in force.
A request that HCI brokers now have to send to the national transitional authorities. “I do not think so at all”, honestly constitutes a local elected that considers “unthinkable” the departure of the Malian soldiers. “If they leave, the jihadists will attack immediately, they will raise Farabougou!” This elected official, who is involved in the mediation efforts between communities that have been initiated in the area for six months, as well as other local notables, also expressed their doubts about the viability of the ceasefire, even temporarily, achieved after months of work by HCI mediators. .
“We do not know if it will work,” says an imam of the area, who has already been a lot of traitors. We hope it becomes a reality. The coming days will provide an opportunity to raise these issues in one direction or another.
On Monday, there were reports of exchanges of fire from several sources near Dogofry between the jihadists and a patrol from the Malian army. Who is not affected by the ceasefire HCI has achieved when this agreement was reached between the traditional dozo hunters and the jihadists from Katiba Macina.
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