In Mali, thousands of displaced people have decided to return to their homes in the Bankass circle, in the center of the country. This return became possible after local agreements were reached between village communities and JNIM, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, allied with Al-Qaeda.

Villagers can now reclaim their houses and farms, but in exchange they must accept conditions imposed by jihadist groups, such as mandatory veiling for women and the prohibition of Western-style education in schools.

Schools closed, veils mandatory

These conditions govern dress codes and prayer rituals. Men are now required to wear short trousers, republican schools have been shut down, so Western education is banned, and women must wear the veil.

In return, the mostly Peulh and Dogon villagers are now allowed to carry out their farming and herding activities, as the rainy season began in Mali in June.

“We came back without our wives”

An educator from the village of Bare Darsalam, in the Bankass circle, who asked to remain anonymous, returned to his village after seven years away due to the conflict.

He came back without his wife and children. He spoke about the public school system and the dress code imposed by JNIM:

“Our school was destroyed by terrorist armed groups when the village was displaced in 2019. They smashed everything. Even if we were asked to rebuild the school immediately, we would not 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 bring our wives back, to find out whether Islamic veiling or something like that is required.”

Farming resumes

According to Allaye Guindo, mayor of the urban commune of Bankass, the signing of agreements between village communities and armed groups has enabled a significant return of displaced people.

“Thanks to the signed agreements, people are returning to all the abandoned localities. The 13 villages that welcome their residents include two villages of Kani Bozon, one village in the rural commune of Dimbal. All the rest are villages from 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 agreements state that customary authorities and local dignitaries must adapt to the rules set by terrorist armed groups, which make the application of Islamic law, Sharia, the pillar of their collaboration with villagers.