Commitment to a unilateral ceasefire from Youssouf Toloba and his armed group, Dan Nan Ambassagou

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Mali
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Commitment to a unilateral ceasefire from Youssouf Toloba and his armed group, Dan Nan Ambassagou
Date: 27 Sep 2018
Agreement status: Unilateral document
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local conflict
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Mali Local Processes
Parties: For the Dan Nan Ambassagou group

For the general staff

Youssouf TOLOBA

For national coordination

Mamoudou GOUDIENKILE

For the Bankass coordination

Oumar GUINDO

For the Douentza coordination

Seydou MAIGA

For the Bandiagara coordination

Boureima SAGARA

For the Koro coordination

Alhaty KAMOKO
Third parties: Unsigned, but agreement refers to mediation process undertaken by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue
Description: Short unilateral ceasefire declaration in which Dan Nan Ambassagou, a non-state armed group led by Youssouf Toloba, commits itself to immediately stop perpetrating violence. The group declares to sanction violations committed by its members, to oppose theft, and to raise awareness of the benefits of peace. It also calls on the Malian state and its partners to, among other things, provide humanitarian assistance, accelerate the DDR process, and support the families of conflict victims.

Agreement document: ML_180927_Engagement en faveur d'un cessez-le-feu unilateral de Youssouf TOLOBA et son groupe arme de Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): ML_180927_Engagement en faveur d'un cessez-le-feu unilateral de Youssouf TOLOBA et son groupe arme de Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Substantive
Page 2, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section I: Commitment to a ceasefire and negotiations

Page 3...

Article 3:

To support efforts for peaceful coexistence between the communities, Youssouf TOLOSA and his
armed group Dan Nan AMSASSAGOU ask:

...

- The State of Mali to accelerate the implementation of the Algiers Agreement by completing
the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration process (DDR), and to put in place a
process to demobilize key armed figures who have links to various parts of the communities.
This DDR process will help to recover a significant number of young people who fuel violence
on behalf of their community, and help to catalogue and recover weapons circulating in the
area.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: Page 2, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section I: Commitment to a ceasefire and negotiations

Page 3...

Article 3:

To support efforts for peaceful coexistence between the communities, Youssouf TOLOSA and his
armed group Dan Nan AMSASSAGOU ask:

...

- The State to provide specific support to the families of the victims (who died during clashes);

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 2, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section I: Commitment to a ceasefire and negotiations

Page 3...

Article 3:

To support efforts for peaceful coexistence between the communities, Youssouf TOLOSA and his
armed group Dan Nan AMSASSAGOU ask:

- The authorities to strengthen traditional and religious establishments at a local level so that
they are able, once again, to work to prevent and manage tensions and conflicts in an
impartial manner.

Page 4, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

...

Section III: Respect of customs by the communities

Article 6:

Youssouf TOLOBA and his armed group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU are committed to restoring the
moral authority of traditional and religious establishments, to enable them to play their role
effectively in the appeasement of social tensions and aid of peaceful coexistence.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 2, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section I: Commitment to a ceasefire and negotiations

Page 3...

Article 3:

To support efforts for peaceful coexistence between the communities, Youssouf TOLOSA and his
armed group Dan Nan AMSASSAGOU ask:

- The State of Mali and its partners to work to provide humanitarian assistance
commensurate with the needs of all communities in the area affected by the crisis: food aid,
medical care, repair, construction and rehabilitation of basic social infrastructures (health
structures, schools, water points, etc.). They also ask for support for economic recovery
through the financing of activities such as cattle trade, transport, stock rebuilding, and so on.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Land reform and management
Page 3, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section II: Access to pastoral resources (water points, passage of animals etc.)

Article 4:

Apart from the theft and looting of the cattle, the exclusion of certain users from access to water
points is one of the major causes of conflicts in the area. Thus, Youssouf TOLOBA and his armed
group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU commit to no longer interfere with conflicts relating to accessing
natural resources and to let the authorities manage these. He also states that revitalizing traditional
spatial management mechanisms will be an important tool in the peaceful use of pastoral resources.

Article 5:
Youssouf TOLOBA and his group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU ask the national and regional authorities to
organize campaigns to promote local pastoral resource management conventions
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: Page 1, Chapter I: Reasons for Hunters’ Involvement in the Conflict

Youssouf TOLOBA and his militia group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU recognize that the following events
are the origin of the tensions / conflicts in the area:

Page 2...

- Frustration due to unresolved or badly resolved conflicts regarding access to natural
resources that are shared between communities.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 2, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section I: Commitment to a ceasefire and negotiations

Article 1:

With this commitment, Youssouf TOLOBA and his Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU armed group declare a
unilateral ceasefire for the peaceful coexistence of the area's communities.

Article 2:

With a view to the effective implementation of the unilateral ceasefire, Youssouf TOLOSA and his
armed group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU commit themselves to:
• Stop all military clashes for any reason;
• Make a strong appeal to its fighters to immediately stop any violence and to report to the
competent military authorities in the event of threats or attacks;
• Sanction any violations of the present ceasefire that may be committed by its members;
• Strongly condemn any acts of aggression and violence committed by members of their community;
• Oppose the theft / plundering of livestock regardless of its ownership;
• Raise awareness among young people and opinion leaders about the benefits of Peace;
• Urge the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of persons and their
property in the area concerned and in the entire region of Mopti;

Page 3...

• Support legitimate figures at a local level to help find amicable solutions to communities
coexisting.

Page 4, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Chapter III: General Conditions and Recommendations

Article 8:

To ensure the implementation of this commitment, a monitoring committee will be set up. It will
meet Youssouf TOLOBA, representatives of his Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU armed group and of
communities benefiting from his cause.

This committee will have the following mission:

• Ensure the implementation of this commitment with by combatants and the communities. Prevent
and manage acts and behaviours that may lead to non-compliance with this commitment.
• To report to the regional authorities and the defence and security forces in the area on all issues
related to the implementation of this commitment.

Page 5...

• Appeal to, in the event of failure to comply with this commitment, any party able to put an end to
this.

Article 9:
Any failure to follow or any difference of interpretation of this commitment will be settled amicably.
The monitoring committee will meet to discuss and find any solutions.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 2, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section I: Commitment to a ceasefire and negotiations

Page 3...

Article 3:

To support efforts for peaceful coexistence between the communities, Youssouf TOLOSA and his
armed group Dan Nan AMSASSAGOU ask:

...

- The State of Mali to accelerate the implementation of the Algiers Agreement by completing
the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration process (DDR), and to put in place a
process to demobilize key armed figures who have links to various parts of the communities.
This DDR process will help to recover a significant number of young people who fuel violence
on behalf of their community, and help to catalogue and recover weapons circulating in the
area.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: Page 1, Chapter I: Reasons for Hunters’ Involvement in the Conflict

Youssouf TOLOBA and his militia group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU recognize that the following events
are the origin of the tensions / conflicts in the area:

- Attacks and repeated looting of villages and hamlets by armed individuals;
- Targeted assassinations of hunters and influential personalities; Massive theft of cattle;
- Attacking travellers;

Page 2, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section I: Commitment to a ceasefire and negotiations

...
Article 2:

With a view to the effective implementation of the unilateral ceasefire, Youssouf TOLOSA and his
armed group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU commit themselves to:
...
• Oppose the theft / plundering of livestock regardless of its ownership;
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 4, Chapter II: Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section III: Respect of customs by the communities

...

Article 7:

To build trust between communities and community groups, governments and partners need to
increase inter- and intra-community activities in the area.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Agreement held on file.

Commitment to a unilateral ceasefire from Youssouf TOLOBA and his armed group, Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU

September 2018

Preamble

In accordance with the "Dan Nan Ambassagou Militia Declaration" dated September 16, 2018, Youssouf TOLOBA and his group armed group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU confirm their commitment to the peace process;

Reunited in Sevare as part of the seven-month mediation process undertaken by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, with the support of the regional authorities, on behalf of the Malian Government, which will support the peace efforts of the communities of Central Mali;

Youssouf TOLOBA and his group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU agree to follow, in full and in good faith, the provisions of this agreement.

Chapter I:

Reasons for Hunters’ Involvement in the Conflict

Youssouf TOLOBA and his militia group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU recognize that the following events are the origin of the tensions / conflicts in the area:

- Attacks and repeated looting of villages and hamlets by armed individuals;

- Targeted assassinations of hunters and influential personalities;

Massive theft of cattle;

- Attacking travellers;

- Lack of authorities and security forces in most localities;

- Feeling that the neighbouring community is joining forces with armed groups to get revenge against the original hunters' community;

- Frustration due to unresolved or badly resolved conflicts regarding access to natural resources that are shared between communities.

Chapter II:

Strengthening the peace process between the Dogon and Peuhl communities

Section I:

Commitment to a ceasefire and negotiations

Article 1:

With this commitment, Youssouf TOLOBA and his Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU armed group declare a unilateral ceasefire for the peaceful coexistence of the area's communities.

Article 2:

With a view to the effective implementation of the unilateral ceasefire, Youssouf TOLOSA and his armed group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU commit themselves to:

• Stop all military clashes for any reason;

• Make a strong appeal to its fighters to immediately stop any violence and to report to the competent military authorities in the event of threats or attacks;

• Sanction any violations of the present ceasefire that may be committed by its members;

• Strongly condemn any acts of aggression and violence committed by members of their community;

• Oppose the theft / plundering of livestock regardless of its ownership;

• Raise awareness among young people and opinion leaders about the benefits of Peace;

• Urge the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of persons and their property in the area concerned and in the entire region of Mopti;

• Support legitimate figures at a local level to help find amicable solutions to communities coexisting.

Article 3:

To support efforts for peaceful coexistence between the communities, Youssouf TOLOSA and his armed group Dan Nan AMSASSAGOU ask:

- The State of Mali and its partners to work to provide humanitarian assistance commensurate with the needs of all communities in the area affected by the crisis:

food aid, medical care, repair, construction and rehabilitation of basic social infrastructures (health structures, schools, water points, etc.).

They also ask for support for economic recovery through the financing of activities such as cattle trade, transport, stock rebuilding, and so on.

- The State to provide specific support to the families of the victims (who died during clashes);

- The State of Mali to accelerate the implementation of the Algiers Agreement by completing the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration process (DDR), and to put in place a process to demobilize key armed figures who have links to various parts of the communities.

This DDR process will help to recover a significant number of young people who fuel violence on behalf of their community, and help to catalogue and recover weapons circulating in the area.

- The authorities to strengthen traditional and religious establishments at a local level so that they are able, once again, to work to prevent and manage tensions and conflicts in an impartial manner.

Section II:

Access to pastoral resources (water points, passage of animals etc.)

Article 4:

Apart from the theft and looting of the cattle, the exclusion of certain users from access to water points is one of the major causes of conflicts in the area.

Thus, Youssouf TOLOBA and his armed group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU commit to no longer interfere with conflicts relating to accessing natural resources and to let the authorities manage these.

He also states that revitalizing traditional spatial management mechanisms will be an important tool in the peaceful use of pastoral resources.

Article 5:

Youssouf TOLOBA and his group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU ask the national and regional authorities to organize campaigns to promote local pastoral resource management conventions.

Section III:

Respect of customs by the communities

Article 6:

Youssouf TOLOBA and his armed group Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU are committed to restoring the moral authority of traditional and religious establishments, to enable them to play their role effectively in the appeasement of social tensions and aid of peaceful coexistence.

Article 7:

To build trust between communities and community groups, governments and partners need to increase inter- and intra-community activities in the area.

Chapter III:

General Conditions and Recommendations

Article 8:

To ensure the implementation of this commitment, a monitoring committee will be set up.

It will meet Youssouf TOLOBA, representatives of his Dan Nan AMBASSAGOU armed group and of communities benefiting from his cause.

This committee will have the following mission:

• Ensure the implementation of this commitment with by combatants and the communities.

Prevent and manage acts and behaviours that may lead to non-compliance with this commitment.

• To report to the regional authorities and the defence and security forces in the area on all issues related to the implementation of this commitment.

• Appeal to, in the event of failure to comply with this commitment, any party able to put an end to this.

Article 9:

Any failure to follow or any difference of interpretation of this commitment will be settled amicably.

The monitoring committee will meet to discuss and find any solutions.

Article 10:

This commitment will come into force from the date of signature.

In witness whereof the group has agreed to this commitment.

Signed in Mopti on September 27, 2018