This article discusses Mali’s ongoing 12-year civil war, initially sparked by a 2012 Tuareg rebellion, and has now escalated into a complex conflict fueled by ethnic/religious tensions, jihadist uprisings, and government failures. The article highlights the marginalization of the Fulani ethnic group, who face violence from the Malian army and Russian Wagner mercenaries, pushing many to look towards jihadist groups like Katiba Macina and JNIM for protection. These groups exploit ethnic divides, resource scarcity, and economic decline, offering salaries up for those who join their movement as terms of “protection”. The motivations for these militant groups to resort to arms are religion, money, or revenge. The government’s heavy handed military approach, coupled with anti-Fulani motives following a September 2023 jihadist attack on Bamako, has deepened ethnic divides. Despite claims of success, the junta’s strategies have failed to reduce violence, which has spread to Mali’s south. The civil war has displaced over 344,000 people and created acute food insecurity for 1.3 million throughout the country. The article suggests that addressing environmental and economic challenges, rather than relying solely on military solutions, is crucial to reducing extremism. Mali’s junta has recently signaled openness to discussion, but the war’s toll on civilians continues to affect many.
This article addresses the cruel reality of the civil war occuring in Mali. It exposes the ill intent behind the government’s attacks on what they describe as terrorism. It shows how extremism can tear apart a country and turn neighbors against each other. Cultural boundaries have been created as a result of the separation of and violence against the religious groups in the region, specifically the Fulani people, and those who are trying to protect them against ethnocentrism from the government. This divide could create long term harmful ideologies against people, especially because the government and society is encouraging youth to join the military, and that further draws out the conflict. The violence from the war is also taking a toll on the people. Citizens are being arrested and killed for their identity, and this violence has displaced many people, as well as cause starvation for many throughout the country as a lack of supplies has been available for refugees and other victims of the war. Additionally, climate change has not been addressed in the country, creating obstacles for subsistence farmers.
Possible ways the region could be supported is NGOs could relieve refugees and help supply those in need with food, water, and shelter. Citizens and refugees are doing anything they can to receive reinforcements, even the tiniest bit of support could change many lives. In addition, IGOs could create a third party interference to mediate conflict. Right now, there are outside countries coming to support the government’s movement, but are still enforcing the militarial approach. If another country were to come in with the sole purpose to relieve tensions and implement compromise, it could help to reduce conflict in the region. Lastly, the government could deliberately take a more peaceful approach to handling conflict, it’s easier said than done, but maybe if Mali’s government decided to reduce attacks on villages and address the conflict in a peaceful way, that maybe there is hope that Jihadist groups will be willing to cooperate.
This conflict ties to the theme of political actors and their involvement in International Relations. In this conflict we see government utilizing an alliance with Russia to strengthen their movement. Both actors have a large impact on the current turn out of the war. This also includes other actors in the region, such as the Jihadist movement and smaller groups within them such as Katiba-Macina. This conflict is also a good example of a multi-nation state, and how being a multi-nation state can generate conflict. Along with being a multi-nation state, that characteristic has also appeared through the cultural borders within the country. This conflict is a great example of resulting violence due to extremist ideations and an overpowering government, and it shows how international relations plays a very important part in resolving conflict.