Agreement between the Peul and Bozon communities of Kewa commune for the lifting of the blockade on Kouakourou (Mopti region)

Country/entity
Mali
Region
Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name
Agreement between the Peul and Bozon communities of Kewa commune for the lifting of the blockade on Kouakourou (Mopti region)
Date
19 Jan 2019
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/local conflict
Stage
Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature
Inter-group
Peace process
Mali Local Processes
Parties
Page 3:
Signatory parties:

For the Peulh community     
For the Bozo community

Agreement signed by at least two persons from each of the communities, signatures and names hand-written in original text.
Third parties
(Note: while not mentioned in the agreement, HD Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue have been facilitating this and similar agreements in Mali)
Description
In this agreement, the Peul and Bozon communities of Kewa commune agree to lift the blockade, reopen the weekly market, allow access to people and goods to the area. They further agree for the displaced persons to return, and commit to mediation. Finally, they agree to form a monitoring committee which is also intended to act as a conflict-resolution mechanism in the first instance.

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, however Peulh and Bozo groups signed another agreement in Djenné cercle on 01/08/2019 along with other groups ('Humanitarian agreement between Bambara and Bozo farmers, Fulani herders as well as hunters from the area (‘circle’) of Djenné').
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
Kewa municipality
Nature of Locale
Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD)
14.222000, -4.493000
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 (on the mandate of the Government of Mali)
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 our respective communities have had strained relations for almost two years due to numerous kidnappings and tensions that have left more than a dozen dead, and that this situation is likely to lead to general conflict;
Remembering that the weekly market that used to supply necessities has not been held since September 2017.
Considering the deep crisis of confidence which has led to the blockade on the village of Kouakourou since August 2017 and that has led to inter-communal mistrust and danger to the population,
Aware that the atmosphere of general insecurity in the Mopti region leads to movement restrictions and impedes key economic activities, as well as degrades the standard of living of the Kouakourou communities,
Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.

Agreement between the Peulh and Bozo communities of Kewa for lifting the blockade on Kouakourou (Mopti region)

January 2019

Preamble

We, Peulh and Bozo communities in the rural commune of Kewa, in the Mopti region of Mali, hereinafter referred to as the Parties,

Aware that our respective communities have had strained relations for almost two years due to numerous kidnappings and tensions that have left more than a dozen dead, and that this situation is likely to lead to general conflict;

Remembering that the weekly market that used to supply necessities has not been held since September 2017.

Considering the deep crisis of confidence which has led to the blockade on the village of Kouakourou since August 2017 and that has led to inter-communal mistrust and danger to the population,

Aware that the atmosphere of general insecurity in the Mopti region leads to movement restrictions and impedes key economic activities, as well as degrades the standard of living of the Kouakourou communities,

Aware of the need to prioritize the common interest and to strengthen cohesion for better cohabitation;

Met in Kouakourou as part of the mediation undertaken for two months by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), on the mandate of the Government of Mali, to agree on the following:

Article 1:

Commitments of the Parties

The Parties commit by this Agreement to:

• Taking all the necessary measures to lift the blockade on Kouakourou and to reopen the weekly Kouakourou market as soon as possible;

• Facilitating the non-discriminated access of all communities to the weekly market and the Kouakourou health center,

• Not contributing to the obstruction of free movement of people and their goods;

• Fighting against banditry in all its forms;

• Accepting the return of displaced people and working with the authorities to reintegrate them into working life

• Firmly condemning any act which may call into question the provisions of this Agreement;

• Prioritizing mediation and dialogue to settle amicably any dispute between the Parties.

Article 2:

Support for authorities

The Parties request the defense and security forces present in Kouakourou to:

• Support the implementation of this Agreement in order to create conditions favorable to the return of peace between the Parties,

• Carry out all necessary investigations before any arrest,

The Parties also appeal to the Malian state to take all necessary measures for the security and free movement of people and their goods in the commune of Kewa.

Article 3:

Agreement monitoring

In order to monitor the implementation of this peace agreement, a monitoring committee is put in place.

This will be composed of 10 members, including 5 representatives of the Peulh community and 5 representatives of the Bozo community.

The mission of this monitoring committee is to:

• Monitor the implementation of this Agreement;

• Prevent and resolve any disputes between the Parties;

• Aid the two communities in order to ensure the widest possible adherence to this Agreement;

• Maintain a dialogue with the representatives of the authorities and the defense and security forces in order to facilitate the implementation of this Agreement and to strengthen its scope.

Article 4:

Timeline

This Agreement comes into force on the date of signature.

Done in Kouakourou, January 19, 2019

Signatory parties:

For the Peulh community For the Bozo community