Peace agreement between the Dogon & Peulh communities of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II, Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé and Youdiou

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Country/entity: Mali
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Peace agreement between the Dogon & Peulh communities of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II, Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé and Youdiou
Date: 22 Jan 2021
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: Signatories of the Agreement:
For the Dogon community:

1- Amadou TOGO
Koporo Na village chief

2- Abdina TOGO
Temena village chief

3- Eguelou POUDIOUGO
Wol-Maoudé village chief

4- Amadou TOGO
Toroli village chief

5- Souleymane TOGO
Babouro village chief

6- Boukary POUDIOUGO
Dongonley Village Chief

7- Harouna POUDIOUGO
Youdiou village chief

8- Soumaïla SAGARA
Ogodengou village chief

9- Allaye TOGO
Oropa village chief

10- Elysée TOGO
Koporo Pen village chief

11- Boureïma GUINDO
Samani village chief

12-Amadou Dougnon
Géourou village chief

13- Oumar Kéné TOGO
Village chief of Baragnolé

14-Oumar TOGO
Temegolo village chief

15- Amadou TOGO
Pel village chief

16- Yacouba TOGO
Andiangana village chief

17- Moussa TOGO
Village chief of Koromatintin

18-Martin TOGO
Bondo Tena village chief

For the Peulh community

1- Abdoulaye BARRY
Village chief of Birga Peulh

2- Hamadoun BARRY
Advisor to Birga Peulh

3- Aly KOITA
Advisor to Birga Peulh

4- Boukary BARRY
The village chief of Deri

5- Allaye Bolo BARRY
Advisor to Deri

6- Souleymane BARRY
Advisor to Deri

7- Oumar BARRY
Chalouguel Belco village chief

8- Djibrilou BARRY
Chalouguel Issa village chief

9- Allaye Béni BARRY
Guéourou village chief

10- Amadou Guidado BARRY
Ardjine village chief

11- Allaye BARRY
Advisor to Anakaka Peulh

12-EI Hadji BARRY
Advisor in Guéourou
Third parties: Witnesses
Allaye TEME
1 st Vice-president Monobèm

Saidou DAMA
The representative of the High Islamic Council

Witness Nouh DJEME
1 st Vice-president RECOTRADE

Amadou Sidiki Togo
President of the youth coordination

[unsigned, but noted in agreement text, Page 2: HD Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue]
Description: This is one of three agreements signed between the Fulani and Dogon with humanitarian objectives on 12, 22 and 24 January 2021, led by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and the community association Monobèm. Through these agreements, the communities further commit to ensuring the physical integrity and free circulation of persons, goods, and livestock, while condemning the violence in the circle of Koro, in Central Mali. They particularly focus on access to markets and mobility, and commit not to carry weapons. They also establish a committee to monitor and review the implementation of the agreement and resolve any disputes that may arise in implementation.

Agreement document: ML_210122_Peace agreement between the Dogon & Peulh communities of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II, Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé and Youdiou_tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): ML_210122_Peace agreement between the Dogon & Peulh communities of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II, Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé and Youdiou_FR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Formal structured process
Rationale: The negotiations were supported by the HD Centre who noted that "these agreements are part of the mediation framework implemented by HD – also known as the Henry Dunant Centre – as mandated by the Office of the Prime Minister of Mali and with the financial support of the Government of Canada."
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: Yes
Link to national process: articulated rationale: The link to the national process is suggested by the involvement of the Office of the Prime Minister of Mali in mandating that the negotiation be undertaken.
Name of Locale: Koro Circle
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 14.197045, -3.235685
Participant type: Local state actor
Local armed group
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): The HD Centre was instrumental in bringing the representatives of the villages together in talks. Further, their announcement of the signing notes that "These agreements are part of the mediation framework implemented by HD – also known as the Henry Dunant Centre – as mandated by the Office of the Prime Minister of Mali and with the financial support of the Government of Canada."
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar: Central state actor Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations International or transnational actor

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: Page 1:
Recalling that in the past the Dogon and Peulh communities coexisted peacefully in the Koro Circle communes of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II, Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé, and Youdiou, despite the tensions that have always existed between our communities concerning the management of resources natural that we share;
Aware that these tensions are exacerbated by the high level of insecurity throughout the Dogon plateau, Senno and Gondo and that the current conflict has led to the end of economic activities, mass killings in 2018, and even the restriction of the free movement of people and their goods;

Page 2:
Chapter II: Causes and consequences of the conflict
Article 2: The Parties agree that the inter-communal conflict between them across their municipalities is the result of the following elements:
a)   Repeated attacks and looting of villages and hamlets by armed individuals;
b)   Targeted assassinations of influential figures;
c)   Massive cattle theft by both parties;
d)   Attacks and ambushes against market stalls;
e)   Embargoes on certain villages, water points, weekly markets, and the marketing of certain products (cereals, cattle, and milk),
f)   Closure of basic social services (schools, health center, distribution stores, etc.),
g)   Withdrawal of state agents and defense and security forces in all municipalities;
h)   The feeling on both sides that the neighboring community has joined forces with armed groups to attack the other;
i)   Lack of impartiality of the defense and security forces;
j)   Lack of justice after cases of extrajudicial abuses;
k)   Frustration due to unresolved or poorly resolved inter-communal conflicts on access to natural resources, etc.
Article 3: The Parties agree that the inter-communal conflict between them in their municipalities has had the following consequences since the end of 2017:
a)   The death of more than 78 people;
b)   The displacement of more than 1,700 people from 2018 to 2020;
c)   The theft of 700 heads of cattle;
d)   Embargoes in the markets of Toroli, Koporo Na, Pel and Koro, etc.; Restrictions on access to cultivable land in all 6 municipalities;
e)   Restrictions on movement between the communities in Birga Peulh and Birga Dogon;
Cattle rustling/banditry: Page 2:
Chapter II: Causes and consequences of the conflict
Article 2: The Parties agree that the inter-communal conflict between them across their municipalities is the result of the following elements:
a)   Repeated attacks and looting of villages and hamlets by armed individuals;
b)   Targeted assassinations of influential figures;
c)   Massive cattle theft by both parties;
d)   Attacks and ambushes against market stalls;

Page 2:
Chapter II: Causes and consequences of the conflict
Article 3: The Parties agree that the inter-communal conflict between them in their municipalities has had the following consequences since the end of 2017:
a)   The death of more than 78 people;
b)   The displacement of more than 1,700 people from 2018 to 2020;
c)   The theft of 700 heads of cattle;
d)   Embargoes in the markets of Toroli, Koporo Na, Pel and Koro, etc.; Restrictions on access to cultivable land in all 6 municipalities;
e)   Restrictions on movement between the communities in Birga Peulh and Birga Dogon;

Page 3:
Chapter III: Commitments of the Parties
Article 4: The Parties jointly undertake to:
[...]
h)   Oppose cattle theft regardless of the owner's community and facilitate the search for stolen goods and animals so that they can be returned to their owner;
i)   Not claim animals and property removed or lost during the conflict;
Social cover: No specific mention.

Peace agreement between the Dogon & Peulh communities of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II,

Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé and

Youdiou

Koro Circle, Mali

January 2021

Preamble

We, the Dogon and Peulh communities of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II, Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé and Youdiou in the Koro Circle, hereinafter referred to as the Parties,

Aware that the conflict between us since 2017 is fueling the security crisis that is devastating the Koro Circle;

Taking into account the results of previous reconciliation efforts led by our communities, the State, collectives, associations, and the various attempts by the High Islamic Council of Koro.

Taking into account the peace agreement between the Dogon and Peulh communities of Koro signed in August 2018, following the unilateral ceasefire of Dana Amassagou facilitated by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue and the reciprocal commitment of the Peulh community.

Determined to strengthen the first commitments agreed on during the preparatory inter-communal meetings facilitated by Monobèm de Madougou on February 23, 2020, Binédama on April 16, 2020, Anagadia on June 24, 2020, Karakindé on May 22, 2020, and Laiwaikandé on July 28, 2020, in the municipality of Madougou, which involved 107 villages in the communes of the Sangha, and inter-communal meetings facilitated since September 2020 in Dangatène, Madougou, Toroli, and Pel;

Recalling that in the past the Dogon and Peulh communities coexisted peacefully in the Koro Circle communes of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II, Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé, and Youdiou, despite the tensions that have always existed between our communities concerning the management of resources natural that we share;

Aware that these tensions are exacerbated by the high level of insecurity throughout the Dogon plateau, Senno and Gondo and that the current conflict has led to the end of economic activities, mass killings in 2018, and even the restriction of the free movement of people and their goods;

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

Determined to work to pacify cohabitation between our communities,

Aware that the visit of the Togo to Deri on Sunday, December 27 was a starting point in building trust between the parties, followed by the visit of the Peulh from Guéourou to their village after two years of absence (refugees in Birga Peulh);

Gathered in Pel Maoudé on January 22, 2021, as part of the preparatory meetings facilitated since September 2020 by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue;

We agree as follows:

Chapter I:

General Points

Article 1:

By this Agreement, the Parties declare peace between themselves and undertake to do their utmost to maintain it.

Chapter II:

Causes and consequences of the conflict

Article 2:

The Parties agree that the inter-communal conflict between them across their municipalities is the result of the following elements:

a) Repeated attacks and looting of villages and hamlets by armed individuals;

b) Targeted assassinations of influential figures;

c) Massive cattle theft by both parties;

d) Attacks and ambushes against market stalls;

e) Embargoes on certain villages, water points, weekly markets, and the marketing of certain products (cereals, cattle, and milk),

f) Closure of basic social services (schools, health center, distribution stores, etc.),

g) Withdrawal of state agents and defense and security forces in all municipalities;

h) The feeling on both sides that the neighboring community has joined forces with armed groups to attack the other;

i) Lack of impartiality of the defense and security forces;

j) Lack of justice after cases of extrajudicial abuses;

k) Frustration due to unresolved or poorly resolved inter-communal conflicts on access to natural resources, etc.

Article 3:

The Parties agree that the inter-communal conflict between them in their municipalities has had the following consequences since the end of 2017:

a) The death of more than 78 people;

b) The displacement of more than 1,700 people from 2018 to 2020;

c) The theft of 700 heads of cattle;

d) Embargoes in the markets of Toroli, Koporo Na, Pel and Koro, etc.;

Restrictions on access to cultivable land in all 6 municipalities;

e) Restrictions on movement between the communities in Birga Peulh and Birga Dogon;

Chapter III:

Commitments of the Parties

Article 4:

The Parties jointly undertake to:

a) Encourage community leaders to commit to peace by forgiving all past acts and by spreading messages of cohesion and appeasement;

b) Facilitate the free movement of people and their goods throughout the six municipalities;

c) Encourage the establishment of measures of reciprocal confidence between communities (restitution of animals, condemnation of thieves, etc.);

d) Support and facilitate the return of all displaced persons;

e) Encourage and facilitate market attendance by all communities;

f) Not carry weapons in villages and towns

g) Invite the monitoring committee to dialogue with those who act against the spirit of the Agreement;

h) Oppose cattle theft regardless of the owner's community and facilitate the search for stolen goods and animals so that they can be returned to their owner;

i) Not claim animals and property removed or lost during the conflict;

j) Facilitate the free use of natural and land resources by all communities (fields, pastures, passageways, travel stops, etc.);

k) Encourage the gradual return of basic social services and the movement of NGOs in the areas affected by the agreement,

l) Respect the habits and customs of the different places of worship;

m) Respect the moral authority of traditional religious authorities who, before the crisis, preserved social cohesion and eased social tensions.

Chapter IV:

Recommendations addressed to the State

Article 5:

The Parties ask the State to support their pacification efforts in the Koro Circle communes of Dougoutènè I, Dougoutènè II, Koporo Kendié Na, Koporo Pen, Pel Maoudé and Youdiou.

Specifically for the benefit of peaceful inter-communal coexistence, the Parties ask the State to:

a) Encourage the rehabilitation of destroyed villages;

b) With the support of partners, facilitate the return of displaced persons;

c) Provide humanitarian, economic, and food assistance to all communities affected by the crisis for economic recovery in the area;

d) Open a dialogue with armed groups to agree on a negotiated outcome for the young people who have renounced their weapons;

e) Build, repair, and provide communities with basic social infrastructure (water points, health centers, seeds, schools, etc.);

f) Help strengthen the legitimacy of traditional and religious authorities in their missions of pacification and citizen watch.

Chapter V:

Monitoring of the implementation

Article 6:

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

Article 7:

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

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

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

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

d) Regularly update the State authorities on the progress made in implementing the commitments made under this Agreement to strengthen its scope;

Article 8:

18 members appointed by consensus to represent all of the Peulh and Dogon communities will make up the Monitoring Committee.

This will be composed of 6 representatives of the Peulh community and 12 representatives of the Dogon community.

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 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 failure to apply the solution identified in a consensual manner with the Monitoring Committee, the Parties will jointly refer to traditional and religious dispute management mechanisms.

Article 12:

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 13:

The Parties sign this Agreement in 5 copies in French and will try to translate them into Fulfuldé, Dogosso, and Bamanakan for better understanding.

Article 14:

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

Done at Pel, on 22.01.2021

Signatories of the Agreement:

For the Dogon community:

1- Amadou TOGO

Koporo Na village chief

3- Eguelou POUDIOUGO

Wol-Maoudé village chief

5- Souleymane TOGO

Babouro village chief

7- Harouna POUDIOUGO

Youdiou village chief

2- Abdina TOGO

Temena village chief

4- Amadou TOGO

Toroli village chief

6- Boukary POUDIOUGO

Dongonley Village Chief

8- Soumaïla SAGARA

Ogodengou village chief

9- Allaye TOGO

Oropa village chief

11- Boureïma GUINDO

Samani village chief

13- Oumar Kéné TOGO

Village chief of Baragnolé

15- Amadou TOGO

Pel village chief

17- Moussa TOGO

Village chief of

Koromatintin

IO-Elysée TOGO

Koporo Pen village chief

12-Amadou Dougnon

Géourou village chief

14-Oumar TOGO

Temegolo village chief

16-yacouba TOGO

Andiangana village chief

18-Martin TOGO

Bondo Tena village chief

For the Peulh community

1- Abdoulaye BARRY

Village chief of Birga Peulh

3- Aly KOITA

Advisor to Birga Peulh

5- Allaye Bolo BARRY

Advisor to Deri

7- BARRY

Chalouguel village chief

Belco

9- Allaye Béni BARRY

Guéourou village chief

11- Allaye BARRY

Advisor to Anakaka Peulh

2- Hamadoun BARRY

Advisor to Birga Peulh

4- Boukary BARRY

The village chief of Deri

6- Souleymane BARRY

Advisor to Deri

8- Djibrilou BARRY

Chalouguel village chief

Issa

10- Amadou Guidado BARRY

Ardjine village chief

12-EI Hadji BARRY

Advisor in Guéourou

Witnesses

Allaye TEME Saidou DAMA

1 st Vice-president Monobèm

The representative of the High Islamic Council

Witness Nouh DJEME

1 st Vice-president RECOTRADE

President of the youth coordination