In a significant development for Mali, thousands of displaced residents are now making their way back to their home communities within the Bankass circle, located in the central part of the country. This wave of returns has been facilitated by a series of localized agreements forged between various village communities and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim), an entity with ties to Al-Qaeda.

These arrangements permit villagers to reclaim their residences and cultivate their fields, albeit under specific conditions imposed by the jihadist groups. Among the mandates are the compulsory wearing of the veil for women and the outright prohibition of Western-style education within local schools.

Mandatory dress codes and school closures imposed

The stipulations extend to specific dress codes and prayer rituals. Men are now required to wear short trousers, while the traditional republican school system has been shut down, effectively banning secular education. For women, the Islamic veil is now a mandatory garment.

Conversely, the predominantly Peul and Dogon villagers are now free to resume their vital agricultural and pastoral activities. This resumption coincides with the onset of the rainy season in Mali, which commenced in June.

“We returned without our wives”

An educator from Bare Darsalam village, also located in the Bankass circle, chose to remain anonymous while discussing his return after a seven-year displacement due to the conflict.

He shared that he returned unaccompanied by his wife and children. He offered his perspective on the state of public education and the new dress code enforced by Jnim:

« Our school was destroyed by armed terrorist groups during the village displacement in 2019. They demolished everything. Even if we were asked to rebuild the school immediately, we wouldn’t agree. We resumed our activities after receiving assurances from the mayor of Bankass. We haven’t yet started wearing short trousers. We also haven’t returned with our wives, so we don’t yet know about the requirement for the Islamic veil or similar mandates. »

Agricultural cultivation resumes

Allaye Guindo, the mayor of Bankass urban commune, confirmed that the signing of these agreements between village communities and the armed groups has indeed led to a significant return of displaced individuals.

« Thanks to the signed agreements, people are returning to all the abandoned localities. The 13 villages welcoming back their residents include two villages from Kani Bozon, one village from the rural commune of Dimbal. All the others are villages within the commune of Bankass. It is currently raining, and many returnees have begun cultivating their fields in complete safety. Everyone is satisfied. »

The terms of these local agreements stipulate that customary authorities and local notables must adhere to the regulations established by the armed terrorist groups. The enforcement of Islamic law, Sharia, forms the foundational principle of their collaboration with the villagers in this West Africa news development, impacting African politics and the African economy today.