Two weeks have passed since thousands of residents made their urgent departure from Kouakourou, a town in central Mali, yet they continue to endure precarious living conditions. These individuals were driven from their homes following an ultimatum issued by fighters from the Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans (JNIM), an organization affiliated with Al-Qaïda. Now, far from their familiar surroundings, they strive to rebuild their daily lives amidst immense hardship.
The jihadists seized control of the Kouakourou military camp, subsequently demanding the complete evacuation of the local populace. An estimated 5,000 people abandoned the town, seeking refuge in neighboring villages such as Djenné, Bamako, and Mopti. In Mopti, local authorities have temporarily accommodated over 400 displaced individuals within a school facility.
While food aid is being distributed, thanks to the efforts of generous donors and the municipal office, the reception conditions remain challenging. Classrooms have been converted into makeshift dormitories, and due to insufficient space, some families are compelled to spend their nights in the school courtyard. The onset of seasonal rains further exacerbates their plight, forcing all displaced persons to huddle together indoors.
Beyond the immediate material struggles, these families express profound distress over the forced abandonment of their homes and possessions. Numerous residents recount fleeing Kouakourou with only the clothes they wore, alleging that their mobile phones were confiscated by the jihadist militants.
This mass displacement coincides with the crucial agricultural season, severely jeopardizing harvests and the primary livelihoods of many families. For these displaced residents, the prospect of returning to Kouakourou remains their foremost hope, though prevailing security conditions currently preclude any short-term return.
