GPPAC Consultation in Mali

National context
Mali consistently falls at the bottom of the UNDP Human Development Index. The country is afflicted by numerous natural and man-made problems. Regional problems also have a negative impact on Mali; the current civil strife in Côte d’Ivoire has led to the return of many migrant workers and hampered cross-border trade for Mali. For the most part peace has been maintained. However, there have been periodic outbreaks of violence (most recently, in February 2006, when former rebel leader Colonel Hassan Fagaga, caused havoc by deserting the army with a number of armed kinsmen). In July 2006, a new peace accord was signed that promises to address the many development needs of the arid north.

Mali’s Human Rights record is less disturbing, although human trafficking and slavery continues as some Tuaregs are holding Bella people by maintaining traditional relationships.  Addressing these issues would greatly assist in promoting peaceful co-existence and development in Mali and by extension, the entire West African sub-region. Currently, Mali boasts of strong and organized Civil Society Organizations. Instituting the GPPAC process in the country therefore serves as a formidable platform to contribute immensely to the conflict prevention efforts and the democratisation process which is seen as one of the best in Africa.

The Consultation
The consultation took place from the 5^th to 6^th December, 2006.  The theme of the consultation was: “Civil Society Organisations in Conflict Prevention reflect on Peace.”  The opening ceremony was graced by Mr. Sadio Gassama, the Malian Minister for Internal Security and Civilian Protection, Madam Kadidia Diarra, Chief of Cabinet of the Ministry of Women, Children and Family Affairs. WANEP was represented by its Regional Programme Manager, Ms. Oury Traore and Mr. Ouattara Ousmane, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone II.  The Minister and WANEP Regional Programme Manager both emphasized the need for civil society to get actively engaged in peacebuilding efforts in West Africa in general and in Mali in particular.

During the consultation, participants identified pertinent issues, including:

• Intra-religious conflict (within Islam)
• Conflict between herdsmen and farmers
• Land disputes
• Political conflict
• Development issues
• And chieftaincy disputes (issue of succession)

The participants identified the following as possible causes of these conflicts:

confusion between religion and tradition; incorrect interpretations of Islam; proliferation of sects; non-transparent election processes and political interference; land distribution (double attribution); poor land management; high cost in land acquisition; failure to document the succession process; and undue interference of some members of the traditional authority in the succession process. Participants engaged in heated, but fruitful deliberations regarding these issues pertaining to the socio-political context of Mali. These issues demonstrated the need to strengthen and consolidate civil society’s efforts in the area of conflict prevention. 

The participants created a concrete and practicable action plan to tackle the pertinent issues raised in the deliberations. During the Mali consultation, each working group took up a conflict issue and drew up its action plan with its time frame and strategies for intervention.