In central Mali, tens of thousands of internally displaced persons have decided to return to their homes in the Bankass area. This movement became possible after local accords were signed between village communities and the JNIM (Support Group for Islam and Muslims), an Al-Qaeda affiliate.

Villagers are now able to reclaim their houses and farmlands, though under conditions imposed by the jihadist groups. These include mandatory veiling for women, a ban on Western-style schooling, and other restrictions on daily life.

School closures and compulsory veiling

The conditions touch on dress codes and prayer rituals. Men are required to wear short trousers, public schools remain closed, and all Western education is prohibited. Women must wear the veil.

In exchange, the mainly Fulani and Dogon villagers are once again allowed to cultivate fields and tend livestock, especially crucial now at the start of the rainy season that began in Mali in June.

“We returned without our wives”

An educator from the village of Bare Darsalam, in the Bankass circle, who asked to remain anonymous, went back after seven years away due to the conflict. He came without his wife or children. He spoke about the public school and the dress code imposed by the JNIM:

“Our school was destroyed by armed terrorist 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 guarantees from the mayor of Bankass. We haven’t yet started wearing short trousers. We also didn’t come back with our wives, to see whether we must wear the Islamic veil or something like that.”

Field cultivation resumes

Allaye Guindo, mayor of the urban commune of Bankass, confirmed that the agreements between village communities and armed groups have spurred a significant return of displaced people.

“Thanks to the signed accords, people are returning to all abandoned localities. The 13 villages welcoming back their residents include two villages of Kani Bozon, one village in the rural commune of Dimbal. The rest are villages in the commune of Bankass. It is raining now and many returnees have started farming their fields safely. Everyone is satisfied.”

The local deals stipulate that customary authorities and notable figures must adapt to the rules set by the armed terrorist groups, which make the implementation of sharia — Islamic law — the cornerstone of their collaboration with villagers.