Peace agreement between the Fulani, Dogon and Dafing communities of the municipality of Ouenkoro

Country/entity
Mali
Region
Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name
Peace agreement between the Fulani, Dogon and Dafing communities of the municipality of Ouenkoro
Date
16 Aug 2019
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/local conflict
Stage
Framework/substantive - comprehensive
Conflict nature
Inter-group
Peace process
Mali Local Processes
Parties
Signatories to the Peace Agreement between the Peulh, Dogon and Dafing communities of
Ouenkoro

A representative of the Peulh community
A representative of the Dogon community
A representative of the Dafing community
A representative of the Peulh self-defense groups
A representative of the Dogon self-defense groups
Third parties
Ongoing mediation presence provided by local authorities and key local figureheads - no names clearly listed. Supported by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.
Description
Short inter-communal reconciliatory agreement between the communities of Ouenkoro in the Mopti region of Mali. The provisions address reconciliation and DDR and also issues around access to villages for trade and to pastoral resources. There are also substantive arrangements for community formed monitoring commissions.

Local agreement properties

Process type
Formal structured process
Isolated example
Rationale
The process that led to the signing of this agreement was supported by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. A similar agreement was signed in Bankass circle (the Baye agreement of 25/07/2019), but limited background research does not suggest a track record of signing agreements in the Ouenkoro municipality specifically.
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 local conflict in central Mali. The parties to this agreement are not part of the national-level peace negotiation framework.
Name of Locale
Ouenkoro municipality
Nature of Locale
Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD)
13.385000, -3.828000
Participant type
Local armed group
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
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 1, Preamble, Aware that the conflict which has opposed us for more than a year is fueling the security crisis which shakes the circle of Bankass but also the region of Mopti in general;
Aware that these tensions are exacerbated by the high level of insecurity in the region marked by the strong presence of local and jihadist armed groups;

Page 2, Chapter II: Causes and consequences of the conflict, Article 2: The Parties agree that the conflict between them is the result of the following elements:
a) Repeated attacks and looting of villages and market stalls by armed individuals;
b) Targeted assassinations of influential figures;
c) The massive-scale theft of herds of cattle;
d) Poverty and lack of professional prospects for young people;
e) Embargoes on certain villages, weekly markets, health centers, etc ;
f) The absence of the State and the Defense and Security Forces in the area
g) The presence of community armed groups and the feeling on both sides that the neighboring community joins them to take revenge against the other community;
h) Frustration due to conflicts over access to intercommunal natural resources that are not resolved or are poorly resolved.

Page 2, Chapter II: Causes and consequences of the conflict, Article 3: The Parties agree that the conflict between them that has taken place in Ouenkoro for a year has resulted in the following:
a) The deaths of dozens of people;
b) The massive displacement of residents of Ouenkoro villages and hamlets to Mopti, Bamako and to the border with Burkina Faso;
c) The massive-scale theft of herds of cattle;
d) Restrictions on the free movement of people between municipalities and on access to cultivatable land, as well as to the Ouenkoro markets and health centers.
Cattle rustling/banditry
Page 2, Chapter II: Causes and consequences of the conflict, Article 2: The Parties agree that the conflict between them is the result of the following elements:
...
c) The massive-scale theft of herds of cattle;
...
Article 3: The Parties agree that the conflict between them that has taken place in Ouenkoro for a year has resulted in the following:
...
c) The massive-scale theft of herds of cattle;

Page 2, Chapter III: Commitments of the Parties, Article 4: The Parties jointly commit to:
...
e) Opposing the theft of livestock regardless of the owner's community, and returning stolen goods to their owners;
Social cover

No specific mention.

Peace agreement between the Peulh, Dogon and Dafing communities of Ouenkoro

Bankass Circle, Mopti region, Mali

August 2019

Preamble

We, the Peulh, Dogon and Dafing communities of Ouenkoro, hereinafter referred to as the Parties;

Remembering that our communities once coexisted peacefully together in the commune of Ouenkoro;

Taking into account the results of the previous reconciliation efforts led by traditional and religious authorities, elected officials, and local key figures;

Aware that the conflict which has opposed us for more than a year is fueling the security crisis which shakes the circle of Bankass but also the region of Mopti in general;

Aware that these tensions are exacerbated by the high level of insecurity in the region marked by the strong presence of local and jihadist armed groups;

Welcoming the fact that the armed groups of each community in the present peace process are among the signatories to this Agreement;

Aware that for this Agreement to be successful it must be respected by the local armed groups, whether they come from Mali or from the neighboring municipalities of Barani, Din or Kombori in Burkina Faso, else we see the clashes continue ;

Aware that the tensions involving the members of our respective communities may not immediately end with the signing of this Agreement, but will require a constant commitment on our part to manage disputes peacefully;

Determined to work to improve peaceful coexistence between our communities;

Gathered in Ouenkoro as part of the mediation undertaken over a month by the local authorities and key figures, with the support of the Center for humanitarian dialogue;

Agree on the following, and to implement the provisions of this Agreement in full and in good faith, recognizing our primary responsibility in this regard;

Chapter I:

General Points

Article 1:

With this Agreement, the Parties declare peace between them and commit to making every effort to maintain it.

Chapter II:

Causes and consequences of the conflict

Article 2:

The Parties agree that the conflict between them is the result of the following elements:

Repeated attacks and looting of villages and market stalls by armed individuals;

Targeted assassinations of influential figures;

The massive-scale theft of herds of cattle;

Poverty and lack of professional prospects for young people;

Embargoes on certain villages, weekly markets, health centers, etc ;

The absence of the State and the Defense and Security Forces in the area

The presence of community armed groups and the feeling on both sides that the neighboring community joins them to take revenge against the other community;

Frustration due to conflicts over access to intercommunal natural resources that are not resolved or are poorly resolved.

Article 3:

The Parties agree that the conflict between them that has taken place in Ouenkoro for a year has resulted in the following:

The deaths of dozens of people;

The massive displacement of residents of Ouenkoro villages and hamlets to Mopti, Bamako and to the border with Burkina Faso;

The massive-scale theft of herds of cattle;

Restrictions on the free movement of people between municipalities and on access to cultivatable land, as well as to the Ouenkoro markets and health centers.

Chapter III:

Commitments of the Parties

Article 4:

The Parties jointly commit to:

Ceasing all violence and alerting the relevant authorities in the event of threats or attacks;

Firmly condemning all acts of aggression and violence that may be committed by members of their community;

Facilitating the rapid return of displaced persons to their respective villages;

Contributing to lifting embargoes around villages and markets;

Opposing the theft of livestock regardless of the owner's community, and returning stolen goods to their owners;

Respecting and ensure respect for the rules of access to pastoral resources, and facilitate the smooth running of agricultural and livestock activities;

Encouraging community leaders to dedicate themselves to peace by spreading messages of cohesion and appeasement;

Supporting legitimate figures at a local level to find amicable solutions to cohabitation problems

Circulating this Agreement at a community level and report on its implementation regularly to the communities.

Article 5:

The Parties commit to working together to approach all the armed groups operating in the area, whether they come from Mali or from the neighboring communes of Barani, Din, and Kombori in Burkina Faso, in order to gain their respect for this Agreement and its Implementation.

Chapter IV:

Recommendations to the State

Article 6:

The Parties request that the State support their peace efforts in the commune of Ouenkoro.

More specifically, the Parties request that the State:

Take all the necessary measures, in particular, to facilitate the deployment of the Defense and Security Forces, for the security of people and their property in the area concerned and the entire Mopti region;

Provide humanitarian assistance commensurate with the needs of the communities

Contribute to the sustainability of the Agreement by supporting the Parties in their approach to dialogue with armed persons, in order to ensure their adhesion to the process, and by supporting of the Agreement's monitoring committee;

Encourage its representatives, in particular, those of the justice system and of the Defense and Security Forces, to behave in an irreproachable manner;

Expand the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process officially launched to youth centers in areas affected by armed groups.

Chapter V:

Implementation monitoring

Article 7:

A Monitoring Committee will be set up, whose mission is to:

Regularly update the Parties on the progress made in implementing the commitments made under this Agreement in order to strengthen its scope;

Prevent and manage disputes between the Parties that may lead to non-compliance with this Agreement;

Identify, if necessary, additional measures necessary for the inter-communal reconciliation process.

Facilitate the return of displaced people and their reintegration into the community.

Article 8:

15 members appointed by consensus to represent all of the communities will make up the Monitoring Committee.

There will be three people for each of the communities, including two at the local level and a key figure.

There will also be four representatives of community and armed groups, a blacksmith, and a Bozo.

Chapter VI:

Dispute management

Article 9:

The parties will do everything in their power to settle amicably and by negotiation any dispute arising between them, in the spirit of cooperation and friendship which underlies this peace agreement.

Article 10:

In the event of a breach of the application of this Agreement or in the event of a dispute relating to its interpretation, the Parties will refer the matter to the Monitoring Committee so that a consensual solution is identified and applied.

Article 11:

In the event of a serious breach of the application of this Agreement, and of a failure of all attempts at negotiation to remedy it, the Parties may terminate this Agreement.

Such termination will take effect on a specified termination date.

In this case, the Parties will take all necessary measures to minimize the impact of such a decision on the peace efforts already undertaken.

Chapter VII:

Final provisions

Article 12:

The Parties undertake to meet at least once during the first year following the signing of this Agreement in order to take stock of the implementation of the Agreement and, if necessary, renew and adjust the commitments.

Article 13:

This Agreement shall enter into force from the date of its signature by the Parties.

Done in Ouenkoro, August 16, 2019

Signatories to the Peace Agreement between the Peulh, Dogon and Dafing communities of Ouenkoro

A representative of the Peulh community

A representative of the Dogon community

A representative of the Dafing community

A representative of the Peulh self-defense groups

A representative of the Dogon self-defense groups