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Mediation has been going on for ten days in the Niono circle, where the village of Farabougou is located, surrounded by jihadist fighters since the beginning of October. Negotiations are taking place between all actors, including jihadists.
Three direct meetings with the jihadists have already been organized, in remote areas, in the bush. The negotiations are being conducted by representatives of the High Islamic Council, which was recommended by the Nionos Government Forum a month ago. They mainly intervene with two groups: the jihadists, who claim to be such without specifying their membership, and the traditional dozo hunters.
The two groups claim to protect the people, the Fulani community or the Bambara villages, and both are accused of murder, kidnapping or theft. For more than two months, the inhabitants of the Niono circle come under attack when they leave to cultivate their fields or sell their livestock: it is this cycle of violence that negotiations must end.
Disarmament
At the heart of the negotiations is the disarmament and repeal of dams against dozo hunters, as well as respect for each person’s will in the application of sharia law. Wearing the veil, paying zakat, banning street parties for children … The mediators are trying to get the jihadists not to impose anything by force and that they are finally lifting the blockade that has been in place since the beginning of October for the inhabitants of Farabougou.
“The discussions are far advanced” and residents will soon be able to move and resume their activities, according to one of the heads of the mediation team. “We are in the final phase,” he assures with determination and optimism.
However, the traditional dozo hunters still need to agree on each other so that all fraternities are involved in the future agreement to end hostilities. A big meeting is planned for Thursday in Macina.
Discussions are also underway in the municipalities concerned to encourage support from populations who are tired of promises as much as of the situation.
Hopes and doubts
No deaths have been reported in the area in eight days, but food is once again lacking in the besieged village of Farabougou, and residents of the Niono circle are still restricted in their movements.
Even remarkable and elected officials in the municipalities concerned, together with RFI, continue to express their concerns and doubts about the ongoing negotiations. They particularly regret that they are not sufficiently involved in the mediation process and doubt the ability of outside actors to reach a firm agreement. Everyone obviously wants to regain their ability to move freely and continue their activities as quickly as possible.
More generally, however, the whole area is under the influence of the jihadists. The army has strengthened its presence there, four ministers made the trip to a reconciliation forum a month ago, all to no avail.
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