In Mali, tens of thousands of people who fled violence are heading back to their villages in the Bankass district, central Mali, following a series of local agreements struck between community leaders and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim), an Al Qaeda-linked armed group.
The returnees, mainly from the Dogon and Fulani communities, are able to reclaim their homes and farmlands, but only after accepting conditions imposed by the jihadist groups. These include mandatory veiling for women and a ban on Western-style education in local schools.
Schools closed, dress codes enforced
The conditions touch on clothing rules and prayer rituals. Men are required to wear short trousers, public schools have been shut down—effectively prohibiting Western teaching—and women must wear the veil at all times.
In exchange, villagers are now permitted to carry out agricultural and pastoral activities. This comes just as the rainy season begins across Mali in June, making the return particularly timely for farmers.
‘We came back without our wives’
One educator from the village of Bare Darsalam in Bankass circle, who asked to remain anonymous, returned after seven years away due to the conflict. He came back without his wife and children. Speaking about the school and clothing rules imposed by Jnim, he said:
“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 now, we would not agree. We resumed our activities after guarantees given by the Bankass mayor. We have not yet started wearing short trousers. Nor did we bring our wives back, to see if the Islamic veil or something like that is required.”
Fields being cultivated again
Allaye Guindo, mayor of the urban commune of Bankass, confirmed that the signed agreements have led to a significant return of displaced people.
“Thanks to the signed accords, people are returning to all the abandoned localities. The 13 villages receiving their residents include two villages of Kani Bozon, one village of the rural commune of Dimbal. The rest are all villages of the Bankass commune. It is raining now and many returnees have started cultivating their fields in safety. Everyone is satisfied.”
The terms of the local pacts state that customary authorities and notable figures must adapt to the rules set by the terrorist armed groups, which make the implementation of Sharia law the cornerstone of their collaboration with the villagers.
