Returning home: thousands of Dogon families head back to Bankass in Mali

Thousands of displaced Malians have decided to return to their villages in the Bankass district of central Mali, thanks to local agreements reached between community leaders and JNIM, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, an Al-Qaeda affiliate.

Villagers can once again access their homes and farmlands, but under conditions imposed by the jihadist groups, including mandatory veiling for women and a ban on Western-style education in schools.

School closures and mandatory veiling imposed

These conditions cover dress codes and prayer rituals. Men are required to wear short trousers, state schools are closed, Western education is prohibited, and women must wear the veil.

In return, the mostly Fulani and Dogon villagers are allowed to resume farming and herding activities, just as the rainy season begins in Mali in June.

“We returned without our wives”

An educator from Bare Darsalam village in Bankass district, who preferred to remain anonymous, returned after seven years of displacement due to the conflict.

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

“Our school was destroyed by terrorist armed 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 they must wear the Islamic veil or something like that.”

Farming resumes

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

“Thanks to the signed agreements, people are returning to all abandoned localities. The 13 villages that are receiving their residents include two villages from Kani Bozon and one from the rural commune of Dimbal. The rest are villages in the commune of Bankass. It is currently raining and many returnees have started cultivating their fields in safety. Everyone is satisfied.”

Under the terms of the local agreements, customary authorities and notables must adapt to the rules set by the terrorist armed groups, who make the application of Sharia law the cornerstone of their collaboration with the villagers.