Agreement between Oualad Ich and Tourmouz community representatives

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Country/entity: Mali
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Agreement between Oualad Ich and Tourmouz community representatives
Date: 20 Oct 2020
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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Mali Local Processes
Parties: Pour les Oulad Yi'Ich
- Mahmoud Tijani [signature]
- Salihi Bouna [signature]
- Idoumou Sidamar [signature]
- Ali Mohamed [signature]
- Day Cheikh [signature]
- [crossed off name] illegible handwritten name [signature]
- [crossed off name] Franck O' Mouls [signature]

Pour les Tourmouz
- Baba Sidi Mohamed [signature]
- Sidi Mohamed Ely [signature]
- Mohamed Ely [signature]
- Daye Mohamed Salem [signature]
- Elbou Hama [signature]
- Mohamed Lemine Baba [signature]
- Mohamed Boubacar [signature]

Pour l'Etat Mauritanien
Dr Mohamed Salem Merzoug, Ministre de l'Intérieur et de la Décentralisation [signature] [stamp]
Mr Ahmed Ould Bah dit Hmeida, Conseiller du Président de la République [signature] [stamp]
Third parties: -
Description: Agreement that concludes the second mediation attempt following a clash in Lerneb under the support of the United Nations and the Government of Mali. The signatories commit to peace in the region, continued negotiations and the establishment of a monitoring mechanism.

Agreement document: ML_200607_Agreement between Oualad Ich and Tourmouz community representatives.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): ML_200607_Agreement between Oualad Ich and Tourmouz community representatives_FR.pdf (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Formal structured process
Rationale: The agreement concludes the second of three attempts to put an end to the dispute in Lerneb. This second attempt was initiated in Mauritania, presided by the Minister of the Interior and Decentralization, and undertaken in the presence of Ahmed Ould Bah, an adviser of the former President of Mauritania. It was also supported by the United Nations and the Government of Mali.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: Yes
Link to national process: articulated rationale: Although the agreement does not make a clear and direct link to the national process, it was supported by the Government of Mali.
Name of Locale: Nouakchott
Nature of Locale: City
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 18.083326, 15.965234
Participant type: Central state actor
Mediator, facilitator or similar: Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references): This negotiation was presided [and signed] by the Mauritanian Minister of the Interior and Decentralization, and undertaken in the presence of [and signed by] Ahmed Ould Bah, an adviser of the former President of Mauritania. It was also supported by the United Nations and the Government of Mali.
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar: Central state actor Local armed group Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: No specific mention.
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

AGREEMENT

On Sunday 20 October 2019, the parties to the crisis in Lerneb met, at the suggestion of SEM Mohamed Ould Sheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, with Dr Mohamed Salem Merzoug, Minister of the Interior and Decentralisation, as chair, and in the presence of Mr. Ahmed Ould Bah dit Hmeida, Advisor to the President of the Republic, for the purpose of finding a definitive solution to the conflict facing the Oulad Yi’Ich and Tourmouz communities in this region.

The Parties, having considered the proposals of the Mauritanian government, agreed on the following points:

The Parties applaud the initiative of SEM Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the efforts made by his government to find a definitive solution to the crisis in Lerneb;

Restatement of their commitment to peace and security in the region;

Strict adherence to the provisions of the Basseknou agreement on ceasefire and the ban on any act which could threaten peace and security in the region;

Ban on any sort of military display in the region;

Continuing negotiations according to the roadmap proposed by the Mauritanian government, in order to find a definitive solution to the conflict in Lerneb;

Establishing a Committee to oversee performance of this Agreement, presided over by Wali du Hodh Charqui.

This Committee, a list of whose members is attached, is made up of representatives of each group.

The Committee is responsible for overseeing the effective performance of this Agreement.

Putting in place mechanisms to restore mutual trust through joint committees under the supervision of the Oversight Committee.

An assessment of whether performance of this Agreement has been successful shall be made one month after the date of signature.

Any party who, by any act, breaches the terms of this Agreement shall be held responsible in a Mauritanian mediation and bear the consequences of the same.

This Agreement enters into force upon signature by the parties to the conflict and representatives of the Mauritanian State.

Done in Nouakchott on the date, month and year stated above.