Conflict Prevention and Mitigation in Sahel Border Regions

The goal of this project is to help stabilize the conflict situation between communities and armed groups in the border areas of Mali Burkina Faso and Niger. The project complements existing efforts at dialogue between the groups that signed the Algiers peace agreement and those responsible for its implementation (including the agreement monitoring committee the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and the Government of Mali). The project is focused on areas of tension and conflict not covered by the agreement but that impact the agreement’s implementation in Mali. The project also supports conflict mediation with non jihadist armed groups and self-defence groups in Burkina Faso and Niger that have close ties with the armed groups in Mali’s border areas.

The expected outcomes for this project include the following: (1) one or more political negotiation processes facilitated with a view to reaching ceasefires and cessation of hostilities agreements between the states of Mali Burkina Faso and Niger and the non-jihadist armed groups and groups that did not sign the Algiers peace agreement; (2) one or more dialogue processes initiated within and among the communities where there is tension or conflict in the border areas with a view to reaching a peace accord or agreement; (3) decreased conflict and reduced inter- and intra-community tensions as a direct result of the dialogue processes.