12. Central Mali: Toward a Fulani question?
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Boukary Sangaré
Abstract
This chapter discusses the issue of violent extremism and radicalization in the context of the birth of a Fulani issue in central Mali, similar to the Tuareg question in the north of the country. First, we analyse the factors of community radicalization under the lens of a missed opportunity to consolidate community resilience, initiated in a bottom-up approach by Fulani nomadic pastoralists from the centre of Mali through the creation of Dewral Pulaaku. In a second step, we discuss the expansion of extreme violence through armed groups (militias and jihadist groups). This second part looks at the formalization of violence through armed groups that have territorial and social control of certain areas of central Mali. We analyse the motivations that favoured the allegiance in the Mopti Region of nomadic pastoralists with jihadist movements. Radicalization at the individual level is studied in a third step. We focus on the story of a young radicalized person to demonstrate how, at the confluence of the first two types of radicalization, young people are radicalized. At this level, certain individual factors (internalized difficulties and suffering during adolescence) specific to the personal trajectory of the individual are taken into account and contribute to the person’s choice of violence. Radicalization at the individual level is a function of the trajectory of the individual. Finally, the fourth section of the chapter is purely analytical and questions the link between Fulani pastoralists in central Mali and jihad. At this level, we wonder if peul (nomadic pastoralist) is equivalent to ‘jihadist’ in the centre of Mali. This chapter is a response to the current trend of amalgamation between Fulanis and jihadists in this area.We consider the probable existence of a Fulani question in the centre of Mali-similar to that of the Tuareg question in the north.
Abstract
This chapter discusses the issue of violent extremism and radicalization in the context of the birth of a Fulani issue in central Mali, similar to the Tuareg question in the north of the country. First, we analyse the factors of community radicalization under the lens of a missed opportunity to consolidate community resilience, initiated in a bottom-up approach by Fulani nomadic pastoralists from the centre of Mali through the creation of Dewral Pulaaku. In a second step, we discuss the expansion of extreme violence through armed groups (militias and jihadist groups). This second part looks at the formalization of violence through armed groups that have territorial and social control of certain areas of central Mali. We analyse the motivations that favoured the allegiance in the Mopti Region of nomadic pastoralists with jihadist movements. Radicalization at the individual level is studied in a third step. We focus on the story of a young radicalized person to demonstrate how, at the confluence of the first two types of radicalization, young people are radicalized. At this level, certain individual factors (internalized difficulties and suffering during adolescence) specific to the personal trajectory of the individual are taken into account and contribute to the person’s choice of violence. Radicalization at the individual level is a function of the trajectory of the individual. Finally, the fourth section of the chapter is purely analytical and questions the link between Fulani pastoralists in central Mali and jihad. At this level, we wonder if peul (nomadic pastoralist) is equivalent to ‘jihadist’ in the centre of Mali. This chapter is a response to the current trend of amalgamation between Fulanis and jihadists in this area.We consider the probable existence of a Fulani question in the centre of Mali-similar to that of the Tuareg question in the north.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- 1. Introduction: Biographies of radicalization–hidden messages of social change 1
- 2. ‘The heavens have already burned’: Reflections on radicalism 15
- 3. Pathways to home-grown jihadism in the Netherlands: The Hofstadgroup, 2002–2005 25
- 4. How Muhammad al-Wali developed a radical definition of the unbeliever 39
- 5. The jihad of Sheikh Ahmet Ismael Bichara in Kouno: An example of an outbreak of extremism based on religion 51
- 6. Ruben Um Nyobe: Camerounian maquis, radical, and liberator, ca 1948–1958 65
- 7. ‘It’s the way we are moulded’ 85
- 8. Radicalization processes and trajectories in western Chad 103
- 9. Radicalization in northern Nigeria: Stories from Boko Haram 114
- 10. A rebel youth? Social media, charismatic leadership, and ‘radicalized’ youth in the 2015 Biafra protests 134
- 11. Hamadoun Koufa: Spearhead of radicalism in central Mali 152
- 12. Central Mali: Toward a Fulani question? 174
- 13. Central African refugee Mbororo nomads in Cameroon: Cultural hostages? 194
- 14. Islam and radicalization in Senegal: A response in female preaching 216
- 15. Legacies of political resistance in Congo-Brazzaville 230
- 16. ‘Give the Youth a Voice’: A reflection on the Rencontres V4T@Dakar, 15–18 November 2017 244
- List of Authors 256
- List of Abbreviations VII
- Acknowledgements IX
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- 1. Introduction: Biographies of radicalization–hidden messages of social change 1
- 2. ‘The heavens have already burned’: Reflections on radicalism 15
- 3. Pathways to home-grown jihadism in the Netherlands: The Hofstadgroup, 2002–2005 25
- 4. How Muhammad al-Wali developed a radical definition of the unbeliever 39
- 5. The jihad of Sheikh Ahmet Ismael Bichara in Kouno: An example of an outbreak of extremism based on religion 51
- 6. Ruben Um Nyobe: Camerounian maquis, radical, and liberator, ca 1948–1958 65
- 7. ‘It’s the way we are moulded’ 85
- 8. Radicalization processes and trajectories in western Chad 103
- 9. Radicalization in northern Nigeria: Stories from Boko Haram 114
- 10. A rebel youth? Social media, charismatic leadership, and ‘radicalized’ youth in the 2015 Biafra protests 134
- 11. Hamadoun Koufa: Spearhead of radicalism in central Mali 152
- 12. Central Mali: Toward a Fulani question? 174
- 13. Central African refugee Mbororo nomads in Cameroon: Cultural hostages? 194
- 14. Islam and radicalization in Senegal: A response in female preaching 216
- 15. Legacies of political resistance in Congo-Brazzaville 230
- 16. ‘Give the Youth a Voice’: A reflection on the Rencontres V4T@Dakar, 15–18 November 2017 244
- List of Authors 256
- List of Abbreviations VII
- Acknowledgements IX
