In central Mali, thousands of displaced people are heading back to their villages in the Bankass circle. This mass return follows local agreements struck between village communities and the Jnim, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, an Al-Qaeda-linked armed coalition.
Conditions for return: dress codes and school closures
The accords impose strict rules. Women must wear the veil, men are required to wear short trousers, and all Western-style education is banned. Republican schools remain closed. In exchange, villagers — mainly Dogon and Fulani — are allowed to resume farming and herding just as the rainy season begins in June.
“We came back without our wives”
An educator from the village of Bare Darsalam, who asked to remain anonymous, returned after seven years away due to the conflict. He came alone, leaving his wife and children behind. Speaking about the imposed school closures and dress code, he said:
“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 have not yet started wearing short trousers. We also did not bring our wives back, to see whether the Islamic veil or something like that is required.”
Farming resumes as rains begin
Allaye Guindo, mayor of the urban commune of Bankass, confirmed that the agreements had triggered a significant return of internally displaced persons. He stated:
“Thanks to the signed accords, people are returning to all the abandoned localities. The 13 villages receiving their inhabitants include two villages of Kani Bozon, one village from the rural commune of Dimbal. All the rest are villages from the Bankass commune. It is raining now and many returnees have started cultivating their fields in safety. Everyone is satisfied.”
The local pacts stipulate that customary authorities and notables must comply with the rules set by the armed terrorist groups, making the application of Sharia law the cornerstone of collaboration with the villagers.
