Mali’s dogon displaced return home under strict jihadist rules

In Mali, thousands of displaced people have chosen to return to their homes in the Bankass circle, located in the central region. This move became possible after local communities reached agreements with the Jnim, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, an Al-Qaeda affiliate.

Villagers can now reclaim their houses and farmland, but under conditions set by the jihadist groups. Women must wear the veil, and Western-style education is banned in schools.

School closures and mandatory veiling imposed

These conditions cover dress codes and prayer rituals. Men are required to wear short trousers, state-run schools are shut down, prohibiting Western teaching, and all women must wear the veil.

In return, the villagers—mostly Fulani and Dogon—are allowed to resume farming and herding at the start of the rainy season, which began in Mali in June.

“We returned without our wives”

An educator from the village of Bare Darsalam, in Bankass circle, who asked to remain anonymous, went back after seven years of absence due to the conflict.

He returned without his wife and children. He spoke about the public school and the dress code enforced by the Jnim:

“Our school was destroyed by terrorist armed groups when the village was displaced in 2019. They broke everything. Even if we were asked to rebuild the school right away, we wouldn’t agree. We resumed our activities after the guarantees given by the mayor of Bankass. We haven’t started wearing short trousers yet. We also didn’t come back with our wives, to see if we have to wear the Islamic veil or something like that.”

Farming resumes

Allaye Guindo, mayor of the urban commune of Bankass, stated that the agreements signed between village communities and armed groups have led to a large number of displaced people returning.

“Thanks to the signed agreements, people are returning to all abandoned localities. The 13 villages that are receiving their people include two villages of Kani Bozon, one village from the rural commune of Dimbal. All the rest are villages of Bankass commune. It’s raining now, and many returnees have started cultivating their fields safely. Everyone is satisfied.”

The local agreements stipulate that customary authorities and notables must follow the rules set by the terrorist armed groups, which make the application of Islamic law, Sharia, the foundation of their collaboration with the villagers.