In Mali, thousands of displaced individuals have chosen to return to their home villages in the Bankass circle, located in the central part of the country. This return was made possible through local agreements between village communities and JNIM, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, an Al-Qaeda affiliate.

Villagers are now able to reclaim their homes and farmlands, but at the cost of conditions imposed by jihadist groups, including mandatory veiling for women and a ban on Western-style education in schools.

School closures and mandatory veiling imposed

These terms cover dress codes and mandatory prayer rituals. Men are required to wear short trousers, public schools are closed—effectively banning Western education—and women must wear the veil.

In exchange, the predominantly Fulani and Dogon villagers are now permitted to carry out farming and herding activities, just as the rainy season begins in Mali during June.

“We returned without our wives”

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

He came back without his wife and children. He shared his views on public schools and the dress code enforced by JNIM:

“Our school was destroyed by armed terrorist groups when the village was displaced in 2019. They broke 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 have not yet started wearing short trousers. We also did not bring our wives back, to see whether we must wear the Islamic veil or something like that.”

Farming resumes

Allaye Guindo, mayor of Bankass urban commune, said that the signing of agreements between village communities and armed groups has encouraged a significant return of displaced persons.

“Thanks to the signed agreements, people are returning to all abandoned localities. The 13 villages receiving their residents include two villages from Kani Bozon, one village from the rural commune of Dimbal. The rest are villages from 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 notables must adapt to the rules set by the armed terrorist groups, which make the application of Islamic law, Sharia, the cornerstone of their collaboration with the villagers.