Commitments for the prevention of conflicts between farmers and breeders of Tominian in the Segou region of Mali

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Country/entity: Mali
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Commitments for the prevention of conflicts between farmers and breeders of Tominian in the Segou region of Mali
Date: 19 Dec 2019
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 - partial
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Mali Local Processes
Parties: Signatory parties:

The mayor of Tominian - Boba Abeneko DACKOUO

The mayor of Yasso - Cleophas KONE

For the breeders of Tominian - Mamadou SIDIBE

For the farmers of Tominian - Gnansian DIARRA

For the breeders of Yasso - Egoudou SIDIBE

For the farmers of Yasso - Arebe Sangaré (village chief of Kibi)

For the mayor of Mandiakuy - Moise DEMBELE

The mayor of Sanekuy - Mazankuy DEMBELE

For the breeders of Mandiakuy - Sayé SIDIBE

For the farmers of Mandiakuy - Samou Hervé DACKOUO

For the breeders of Sanekuy - Mamadou SIDIBE

For the farmers of Sanekuy - Babab Enok TRAORE

The mayor of Benena - Ignace KONE

The mayor of Mafouné - Niankan DABOU

For the breeders of Benena - Ousmane SIDIBE

For the farmers of Benena - Moise Koné (village chief of Bachirikuy)

For the breeders of Mafouné - Hansan SIDIBE

For the farmers of Mafouné - Issa DIONI

The mayor of Timissa - Sidiki ARAMA

The mayor of Fangasso - Batri DENA

For the breeders of Timissa - Boukary DIAKITE

For the farmers of Timissa - Toulema Moussa (village chief of Tondaga)

For the breeders of Fangasso - Yaya SIDIBE

For the farmers of Fangasso - Baba D. KAMATE

For the mayor of Ouan - Tieré Elie KONE

The mayor of Diora - Abdoulaye DAOU

For the breeders of Ouan - Aly DIALLO (Doungel)

For the farmers of Ouan - Tomy KAMATE

For the breeders of Diora - Chyta SIDIBE

For the farmers of Diora - Philipe DAKOUO

The mayor of Koula - Remy COULIBALY

The mayor of Lanfiala - Baba KAMATE

For the breeders of Koula - Amadou SAGARÉ

For the farmers of Koula - Jacques Coulibaly

For the breeders of Lanfiala - Amadou BARRY

For the farmers of Lanfiala - Djoumbé GUNDO

The prefect of the Tominian circle - Zoumana Norbert DEMBELE
Third parties: Not signed, but mentioned on Page 2, untitled preamble:
[...] mediation undertaken by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) on the mandate of the Government of Mali, [...]
Description: This is an agreement between the representatives of local farming and pastoralist communities, joined by local government and religious leaders. All sides agreed to concerted management of local resources and continuation of dialogue, as well as prevention of retaliation. Farmers and pastoralists committed to a series of actions that facilitate their coexistence, while the government representatives committed to the restoration of the state's authority and combatting the proliferation of weapons.

Agreement document: ML_181219_Commitments for the prevention of conflicts between farmers and breeders of Tominian_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): ML_181219_Commitments for the prevention of conflicts between farmers and breeders of Tominian in the Segou region of Mali.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Formal structured process
Isolated example
Rationale: The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue mediated this peace agreement. Limited background research does not suggest a track record of signing agreements between the conflict parties in this particular area.
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: Tominian cercle
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 13.257000, -4.457000
Participant type: Local state actor
International or transnational actor
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
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 sharing of natural resources, through water points, roads, and pasture areas, has always been a source of tension between our Bwa (bobo), Dafing, Dogon and Peulh communities;
Aware that these tensions are likely to be exacerbated by the circulation of weapons and the repercussions of intercommunal conflicts, which destabilize the circles of Bankass, Djenne, and Macina, where the Peulh breeder traditionally reside, and who now flee the abuses of which they are victims;
Aware that a conflict would lead to an escalation of violence in the current context of instability in central Mali;
Aware of the existence of a deep circle of trust between breeders and farmers, against a background of growth in the human and animal population which increases the risk of conflicts over access to natural resources;
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

Commitments for the prevention of conflicts between farmers and breeders in the Tominian circle of the Ségou region

December 2018

Preamble

We, representatives of the farmers and breeders of the 12 communes of the Tominian circle of the Ségou region, in central Mali, hereinafter referred to as the Parties;

Aware that the sharing of natural resources, through water points, roads, and pasture areas, has always been a source of tension between our Bwa (bobo), Dafing, Dogon and Peulh communities;

Aware that these tensions are likely to be exacerbated by the circulation of weapons and the repercussions of intercommunal conflicts, which destabilize the circles of Bankass, Djenne, and Macina, where the Peulh breeder traditionally reside, and who now flee the abuses of which they are victims;

Aware that a conflict would lead to an escalation of violence in the current context of instability in central Mali;

Aware of the existence of a deep circle of trust between breeders and farmers, against a background of growth in the human and animal population which increases the risk of conflicts over access to natural resources;

Aware of the urgency of unified action towards social cohesion before the next rainy season;

Met on December 18 and 19, 2018 in Tominian as part of the mediation undertaken by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) on the mandate of the Government of Mali, and we commit to implementing the following commitments:

Article 1:

general commitments of the parties

The Parties hereby commit to preventing the occurrence of a conflict between them through concerted management of natural resources, and to work towards social cohesion.

Article 2:

specific commitments of the parties

In order to prevent the occurrence of conflicts, the Parties commit to:

Favoring dialogue and mediation in the event of disputes between them;

Breaking the cycle of retaliation when a field is damaged or a pastoral area is used for other purposes;

Working to reconcile customary law relating to land and laws on pastoralism and land ownership, ensuring their application;

Supporting all conflict prevention initiatives, provided that these are inclusive and respectful to the traditional values of the communities;

Registering and announcing the new breeders arriving in the circle to facilitate their arrival and to prevent tensions

In addition, we, farmers' representatives, commit to:

Respecting the transhumance routes;

Better protecting crops during the passage of animals;

In addition, we, breeders' representatives, commit to:

Respecting the fields and using existing routes and grazing areas;

Not allowing grazing at night;

Respecting the transhumance schedules and inform the farmers of the beginning and end of transhumance journeys through the village chiefs;

Taking the necessary measures to properly supervise the animals when traveling;

Fairly compensating injured farmers

Declaring to the authorities all firearms at our disposal;

Article 3:

commitments of the authorities

Take the necessary measures to combat the proliferation of weapons;

Be proactive in restoring the authority of the State;

Work to secure rural land (agricultural land, transhumance routes, grazing areas, etc.)

of Tominian for the benefit of farmers and breeders, so as to achieve agro-pastoral development;

Facilitate once a year a meeting between farmers and breeders of the Tominian circle in aid of conflict prevention;

Make every effort to guarantee the impartiality of justice;

Support the implementation of these commitments

Article 4:

commitments of religious parties

Religious parties commit to becoming more involved in preventing and resolving tensions.

Article 5:

monitoring of commitments

The Parties commit to considering the creation of a monitoring committee composed of 18 members to ensure compliance with these commitments and to serve as a mediator in the event of any violations.

Done at Tominian, December 19, 2018

Signatory parties:

The mayor of Tominian - Boba Abeneko DACKOUO

The mayor of Yasso - Cleophas KONE

For the breeders of Tominian - Mamadou SIDIBE

For the farmers of Tominian - Gnansian DIARRA

For the breeders of Yasso - Egoudou SIDIBE

For the farmers of Yasso - Arebe Sangaré (village chief of Kibi)

For the mayor of Mandiakuy - Moise DEMBELE

The mayor of Sanekuy - Mazankuy DEMBELE

For the breeders of Mandiakuy - Sayé SIDIBE

For the farmers of Mandiakuy - Samou Hervé DACKOUO

For the breeders of Sanekuy - Mamadou SIDIBE

For the farmers of Sanekuy - Babab Enok TRAORE

The mayor of Benena - Ignace KONE

The mayor of Mafouné - Niankan DABOU

For the breeders of Benena - Ousmane SIDIBE

For the farmers of Benena - Moise Koné (village chief of Bachirikuy)

For the breeders of Mafouné - Hansan SIDIBE

For the farmers of Mafouné - Issa DIONI

The mayor of Timissa - Sidiki ARAMA

The mayor of Fangasso - Batri DENA

For the breeders of Timissa - Boukary DIAKITE

For the farmers of Timissa - Toulema Moussa (village chief of Tondaga)

For the breeders of Fangasso - Yaya SIDIBE

For the farmers of Fangasso - Baba D. KAMATE

For the mayor of Ouan - Tieré Elie KONE

The mayor of Diora - Abdoulaye DAOU

For the breeders of Ouan - Aly DIALLO (Doungel)

For the farmers of Ouan - Tomy KAMATE

For the breeders of Diora - Chyta SIDIBE

For the farmers of Diora - Philipe DAKOUO

The mayor of Koula - Remy COULIBALY

The mayor of Lanfiala - Baba KAMATE

For the breeders of Koula - Amadou SAGARÉ

For the farmers of Koula - Jacques Coulibaly

For the breeders of Lanfiala - Amadou BARRY

For the farmers of Lanfiala - Djoumbé GUNDO

The prefect of the Tominian circle - Zoumana Norbert DEMBELE