Peace agreement between the Dogon and Fulani communities of Koro

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Country/entity: Mali
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Peace agreement between the Dogon and Fulani communities of Koro
Date: 28 Aug 2018
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local conflict
Mali: Dogon-Fulani and other local conflicts (2015 -)
An initially intercommunal conflict between Dogon and Fulani (known in Mali as Peulh) communities in the Mopti region in central Mali, which has strong regional and national dimensions as well. The conflict emerged in 2015 from disputes over access to natural resources and land management between traditionally sedentary agriculturalists, the Dogon community, and semi-nomadic pastoralists and traders, the Fulani community. Given the state’s failure in providing security, various communities, including the Dozo community, grouped into militias, with the umbrella group Dan Na Ambassagou (DNA) comprising Dogon local defence militias. The intercommunal violence that ensued quickly became a regional emergency crisis, as extremist groups emerging from the northern regions to gain a foothold in the region benefited from this security vacuum by reinforcing the conflict through recruiting local population. In turn, the threat of extremist attacks fed back into the establishment of local defence militias. The emergence of Malian extremists in the Mopti region has triggered the internationalization of the conflict witnessing the intervention of international security forces, main missions being a Joint Force by the G5 Sahel, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and the French Operation Serval (SOV). Given Mali’s colonial historical relationship with France, these interventions have de facto further added to the complexities of this conflict’s drivers. Reconciliation efforts on both local and state level culminated in a ceasefire agreement in 2018. However, in the run up to the July 2018 elections the region saw an upsurge in violent clashes with civilians by communal militias, with increasing violent activities by Dozo militias. In 2019 there was a sharp increase of violent attacks by militias, militaries and extremists, with violence against civilians being most common.
Stage: Framework/substantive - comprehensive
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Mali Local Processes
Parties: Signatures not present on copy, agreement states itself in preamble to be agreement of 'We, the Dagon and Fulani communities of Koro, hereinafter referred to as the Parties;'
Third parties: -
Description: Local peace agreement between Dogon and Fulani groups calling to stop inter-communal fighting and to 'reinvigorate traditional decision-making mechanisms' (p. 4) to manage natural resources usage.

Agreement document: ML_180828_Accord de paix entre les communautes Dogon et Peule du cercle de Koro_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): ML_180828_Accord de paix entre les communautes Dogon et Peule du cercle de Koro.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Formal structured process
Rationale: This agreement was signed in the context of 'a three-month mediation process facilitated by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), mandated by the Malian government' (p.1) and is part of a series of local peace agreements mediated by HD in Mopti region (see, for example, 'Humanitarian agreement between Bambara and Bozo farmers, Fulani herders as well as hunters from the area (‘circle’) of Djenné' of 01/08/2019). The agreement also refers to 'previous reconciliation efforts by the State, through the Ministry of Reconciliation and the Mission to Support National Reconciliation, and by the Tabital Pulaku and Guina Dogon associations, as well as many local initiatives' (p.1).
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: No
Link to national process: articulated rationale: The agreement was negotiated outside of the national-level peace process as it deals with conflict in central Mali. The parties to this agreement are not part of the national-level peace negotiation framework.
Name of Locale: Koro cercle
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 14.074502, -3.082684
Participant type: International or transnational actor
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Mediator, facilitator or similar: Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references): Mediator: Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar: International or transnational actor

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: Page 2, Chapter I: Causes of Tension and Conflict between communities, The parties agree that inter-communal violence in the Koro are is the result of:
• Repeated attacks and looting of villages and hamlets by armed individuals;
• Assassinations of influential personalities;
• Large-scale robberies of cattle;
• Attacking markets;
• Embargos on certain villages, water points, weekly markets and the trade of certain products (cereals, milks);
• Absence of state authorities in most localities of the Koro area;
• Feeling on both sides that the neighbouring community is associated with armed groups to get revenge against the other community;
• Feeling of a lack of impartiality amongst certain elements of the authorities;
• Frustration due to unresolved or poorly resolved conflicts around access to natural resources.
Cattle rustling/banditry: Page 2, Chapter I: Causes of Tension and Conflict between communities,
The parties agree that inter-communal violence in the Koro are is the result of:
...
• Large-scale robberies of cattle;

Pages 2/3, Chapter II: Clauses of the Peace Agreement, Section I: General Commitments of the Parties, Article 2
...
• Oppose theft / looting of livestock regardless of its owner;

Pages 3/4, Chapter II: Clauses of the Peace Agreement, Section II: Access to pastoral resources (water points, passage of animals, etc.), Article 3:
In addition to the efforts against theft and looting of cattle mentioned in Article 2 of this Agreement,
Recalling that the lack of water points and transhumance routes and the exclusion of certain communities from their access is one of the major causes of conflict in the Koro area,
The parties:
• Commit themselves fully to supporting all authorities in managing conflicts over access to natural resources;
• Recall that, to this end, it is essential to reinvigorate traditional decision-making mechanisms for the peaceful use of agro-pastoral resources.
Social cover: No specific mention.

Peace agreement between the

Dogon and Fulani communities of Koro

August 2018

Preamble

We, the Dagon and Fulani communities of Koro, hereinafter referred to as the Parties;

Aware that the conflict which has pitted us against each other for more than a year is fuelling the security crisis in the Mopti region;

Taking into account the results of previous reconciliation efforts by the State, through the Ministry of Reconciliation and the Mission to Support National Reconciliation, and by the Tabital Pulaku and Guina Dogon associations, as well as many local initiatives;

Eager to back the crucial first step toward peace, namely the unilateral cease-fire declaration by the hunter group Dan Na Ambassagou of 2 July 2018, as well as the wishes expressed by the Fulani community during the meeting held on 06 August 2018 in Nawodie, in response to the cease-fire declaration;

Meeting in Sevare with the aid of a three-month mediation process facilitated by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), mandated by the Malian Government, which will support the peace efforts of the people of Central Mali;

We commit ourselves to implement, in good faith, the provisions of this Agreement recognizing our primary responsibility towards this cause.

Chapter I:

Causes of Tension and Conflict between communities

The parties agree that inter-communal violence in the Koro are is the result of:

• Repeated attacks and looting of villages and hamlets by armed individuals;

• Assassinations of influential personalities;

• Large-scale robberies of cattle;

• Attacking markets;

• Embargos on certain villages, water points, weekly markets and the trade of certain products (cereals, milks);

• Absence of state authorities in most localities of the Koro area;

• Feeling on both sides that the neighbouring community is associated with

armed groups to get revenge against the other community;

• Feeling of a lack of impartiality amongst certain elements of the authorities;

• Frustration due to unresolved or poorly resolved conflicts around access to natural resources.

Chapter II:

Clauses of the Peace Agreement

Section I:

General Commitments of the Parties

Article 1:

By the present agreement the parties declare to make peace with each other throughout the entirety of the Koro area.

Article 2:

Aware that the tensions and conflicts involving members of their respective communities will not immediately end on the date of signature of this Agreement,

Determined to work to achieve peace, the parties are jointly committed to

• Make a strong appeal to the fighters of their community to cease all violence and to refer to the military authorities in case of threats or attacks;

• Strongly condemn all acts of aggression and violence that may be committed by members of their community:

• Oppose theft / looting of livestock regardless of its owner;

• Return stolen and identified goods to their properties;

• 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

• Ensure that the implementation of this Agreement is monitored;

• Disseminate this Agreement within the communities and report regularly to them on its implementation.

Section II:

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

Article 3:

In addition to the efforts against theft and looting of cattle mentioned in Article 2 of this Agreement,

Recalling that the lack of water points and transhumance routes and the exclusion of certain communities from their access is one of the major causes of conflict in the Koro area,

The parties:

• Commit themselves fully to supporting all authorities in managing conflicts over access to natural resources;

• Recall that, to this end, it is essential to reinvigorate traditional decision-making mechanisms for the peaceful use of agro-pastoral resources.

Article 4:

The parties 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:

The parties 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:

The parties call on the State and its partners to build trust between communities and community groups, by increasing inter- and intra-community activities in the area, as well as providing better explanation of the customs on mixing between the communities.

Chapter III:

General Conditions and Recommendations

Article 7:

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

Thirteen (13) members are appointed by consensus, representing the heads of Dogon and Fulani villages affected by the crisis in the Koro area.

It will consist of ten (10) heads of villages (5 Dogon and 5 Fulani) and three (03) representatives of the neighbouring communities.

For arbitration purposes in case of any breach, reference will be made to persons involved in the process and to representatives of the State (Prefect, sub-prefect) and elected officials (mayors, the president of the district council) .

The mission of this monitoring committee is:

• Regularly update parties on the progress of the implementation of the commitments made under this Agreement to increase its scope;

• Prevent and resolve disputes between parties that may lead to this Agreement being disregarded.

A meeting of the members of the committee should be held shortly to reflect on its functioning.

Article 8:

The parties will make every effort to resolve amicably and by negotiation any dispute arising between them, in the spirit of cooperation and friendship which defines this peace agreement.

Thus, in case of any failure to comply with this Agreement or in the event of a dispute as to its interpretation, the parties will make use of the monitoring committee so that an agreed solution is identified and implemented.

Article 9:

In the event of any failure to comply with this Agreement, the monitoring committee will propose a series of sanctions.

These sanctions established in advance will be communicated to the relevant persons involved in the process for assessment, and if necessary to the state authorities.

Article 10:

The parties call on the state to support their efforts to pacify the Mopti region in favour of peaceful intercommunity coexistence.

More specifically, the parties ask:

• The State of Mali and its partners to work to provide humanitarian assistance commensurate with the needs of all communities in the Koro 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 of Mali to facilitate a process to demobilize key armed figures who have links to various communities from Koro.

Such a process of demobilization, reintegration and integration will enable the recovery of a significant number of youths who fuel violence on behalf of the community and to list and recover the 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.

Article 11

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

In witness whereof, the parties have made this peace agreement.

Signed in Sevarele, August 28, 2018