Mali

Where We Work

Context

GCERF delineates the Sahel within the context of the Group of Five Countries for the Sahel, also known as G5 Sahel, the intergovernmental body to promote regional cooperation in development and security matters. Our focus is on the central Sahel region covering Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Our engagement in the region will directly bolster the implementation of National Action Plans of the three countries working in partnership with local, national, regional, and global partners. Our work began in Mali in 2016 followed by Burkina Faso and Niger in 2021.

The Sahel is one of the most deprived regions in the world. It is home to several fragile and conflict-affected states, each ranking low on the UN Human Development Index and beset by multidimensional conflicts. These conflicts have created fertile environments for violent extremism and organised crime in an already fragile regional context. The region is also a source of criminal activities, including human trafficking and the smuggling of people, drugs, and weapons.

Mali is currently ranked 3 on the Global Terrorism Index of 2024. Deaths in the Sahel constituted 47% of the global total of terrorism deaths in 2023, compared to just one percent in 2007. Over the past 15 years, the number of deaths due to terrorism in the Sahel has increased by 2,860%.

The main drivers of violent extremism are youth unemployment, farmer/herder conflicts and governance-related grievances. VE groups exploit these tensions and insecurities by communicating narratives of injustice and by providing protection in exchange for loyalty.

Baseline studies conducted by GCERF grantees revealed that unemployment, poverty, lack of access to basic social services, and the lack of economic opportunities result in frustrations that contribute to a feeling of exclusion and marginalisation.

Violent extremist groups take advantage of this situation and offer young people financial and material incentives to enlist them. Violent extremists exploit public perceptions of poor governance with a discourse that claims fight to corruption, impunity, and offer alternative solutions.

GCERF works with youth, women, religious and tradition leaders, farmers and herders, students and local authorities to:

Promote women and youth leaders within community-level conflict resolution mechanisms for the prevention on violent extremism (PVE).
Strengthen the role of women leaders and local media in accessing information and communication on violent extremism.
Reintegrate ex-detainees and ex-combatants through community action plans for the PVE.
Improve political participation and economic opportunities for youth and women and improve access to basic services for communities.
Improve pastoral resilience through infrastructure investment.
Facilitate access to loans for young people and women and improve their socio-economic situation.

The awareness-raising session on the consequences of false information was a major turning point in my life after detention. The open discussions dispelled the prejudices often associated with ex-prisoners, creating a climate conducive to reconciliation. The discussions marked the concrete beginning of my reintegration.