Where are we in Farabougou, Mali? It has only been a week since the Niono Forum ended. Four ministers had made the trip to promote reconciliation between communities and restore security in this circle of the Ségou region, in the center of the country. At the same time, a pact was signed between dozo hunters and representatives of the Fulani community. One week later, however, the situation is far from improving.
During the Niono Forum, ministers specifically promised to “disarm all illegal holders of weapons” and to “ensure the protection of individuals and their property”. At the same time, the Dozo hunters and the Fulani community had reached an agreement to put an end to their hostilities. This non-aggression pact was to restore security throughout the circle and especially in Farabougou, a village besieged by jihadists since early October, in the face of inter-community conflicts.
“It did not change anything for us”
This resident of Farabougou could not be clearer: the villagers are still not free. On Thursday, even two rockets – this is a first – even landed in Farabougou, near the Malian soldiers, present in the village, for three weeks.
The next day, Friday, villagers tried to go to their rice fields. They came under fire from the jihadists and had to be rescued by Malian soldiers who evacuated them to a nearby town after an exchange of fire.
No deaths are to be regretted for these two incidents where the Malian army did not want to provide details. Elected officials from the area confirm this information and also in other municipalities in the circle induce burned fields and cattle thefts.
“There were no deaths during the week,” an elected representative of the district reassures, adding that the conclusions of the Nionos government forum and the pact concluded between dozo hunters and representatives of the Fulani community have been a week, “have not yet had any effect”. He regrets that the traditional dozo hunters have not been disarmed, as four ministers have done.
“Dozos have hunting rifles, not weapons of war,” explains another elected member of the circle who believes that hunters are not worried about this commitment and who wants the state to take care of it as a priority. , jihadist warriors.
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