This week, RFI offers you a series of four reports on the unprecedented ceasefire agreement reached on March 14 for a period of one month between the jihadists in Katiba Macina, linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and the Dozo fighters who confronted them. try to protect some villages, especially Farabougou, in the district of Nionos (region Ségou). The Malian state, which mandated the negotiators, still has to comment at the end of the week on a specific point in this agreement.
From our special correspondent,
Hundreds of people were killed, thousands of hectares of crops burned and cattle stolen. Not to mention the emblematic case of Farabougou, a village placed under a jihadist blockade for more than six months … Since the beginning of October, Niono’s circle has lived to the rhythm of clashes between jihadists from Katiba Macina – affiliated to the Islam and Muslim Support Group , himself an ally of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb – and traditional Dozo hunters.
In early December, on behalf of the transitional authorities, a team from the High Islamic Council, led by Moufa Haidara, began discreet direct negotiations with the jihadists. “Their first person in charge was Amadou Koufa, they were very clear in this. Then it was Iyad Ag Ghali, who was present and led all the discussions. “Then in Niono they were natives of Niono, not foreigners,” according to Moufa Haidara.
Exceptionally, it is not community representatives who take part in the discussions, but the fighters from Katiba Macina themselves, thanks to Oumar Bouaré, who served this resident of Ndebougouba as an intermediary, as his village is the first in the circle. them.
He received regular calls from jihadists with various numbers to pave the way for the Islamic Council in the bush areas. “The first day I did not think I would come back. I had never imagined meeting a jihadist in the bush and coming home in good health. Once in the bush, he sits outside and talks directly to you, says Oumar Bouaré.
The messenger receives the green light from the jihadists and organizes nine meetings with mediators for the High Islamic Council, still in the bush and still in different places. On the other hand, among traditional Dozo hunters, no less than 31 meetings will be necessary, so that all the fraternities – among the twelve that exist – in Niono’s circle agree to negotiate and speak with one voice.
“There were many problems, because before we could meet the jihadists, we had to regroup in our society,” explains Nama Traoré, president of the hunters in the Ségou region. There were many human losses and there came a time when I as a leader had to to choose the path of peace. “
After three and a half months of discussions, on March 14, 115 Dozo hunters and more than 200 jihadists, all armed, gathered in a final meeting of more than seven hours. That evening, a ceasefire agreement was finally reached.
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