Bamako 28 Oct (AMAP) A workshop to make a common diagnosis of the multiple risks, vulnerabilities, challenges, issues and interactions in the Liptako-Gourma Region began on Monday at the Alioune Blondin Bèye Peacekeeping School (EPM -ABB) in Bamako, Mali, and ended on Wednesday.
The seminar, whose theme is: "Conflict transformation initiatives and the fight against violent extremism: experiences and good practices of women and young people in Liptako-Gourma", also aims to create a space for sharing experiences. cross-border in the context of the fight against crime, terrorism and violent extremism but also to promote synergy of actions and networking between the different actors, intervening in the Region
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family, Bintou Founè Samaké, in the presence of his colleague from Religious Affairs and Worship, Dr Mahamadou Koné, the Ambassador from Japan to Mali, Daisuke Kuroki and the Director General of EMP-ABB, General Mody Beréthé.
The project, funded by Japan, to the tune of 131,5 million CFA francs, aims to create a space for sharing experiences, drawn from the various local initiatives undertaken by women and young people in Liptako-Gourma for the search for stability.
The Director General of EMP-ABB indicated that the border region of Liptako-Gourma, covering parts of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso has been facing, since 2012, a climate of insecurity and permanent and continuous violence. . “These include two regions in Niger (Tillabéry and Dosso), four regions in Mali (Mopti, Tombouctou, Gao and Kidal) and eight others in Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou, Tenkodo, Manga, Kaya, Fada-N 'Gourma, Ziniaré, Ouahigouya and Dori),' he said.
General Béréthé also underlined that the youth of these countries are affected by unemployment, insufficient prospects, porous borders, weakened links between local authorities and populations. But also by the socio-economic vulnerabilities which are among the elements constituting the bed of crime, violent extremism and terrorism.
The Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family said that today, the border region between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is plagued by a climate of insecurity and violence, since 2012. According to Bintou Founè Samaké, the fragility of this space has its roots in a breeding ground of socioeconomic vulnerabilities. "In this context, she will say, women and young people have a preponderant role to play for the return of peace and social cohesion". For the Minister in charge of the Promotion of Women, the contribution and the potential of these in the prevention of conflicts and violent extremism in the three countries is poorly known and little documented.
Yet their role is decisive at three levels: local, national and international. It is in view of this observation, in terms of the non-visibility of their actions in these conflict zones that EMP-ABB wanted to draw the attention of decision-makers and technical and financial partners to the work done in the shadows. by women and young people through this workshop.
As for the Minister of Religious Affairs and Worship, he recalled that in 2018 the government developed and adopted the National Policy for the Prevention and the Fight against Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Mali.
According to Dr Mahamadou Koné, this policy revolves around five main axes, namely: prevention, protection, prosecution, response and social cohesion.
For his part, the Japanese ambassador will say that the project aims to develop a framework for sharing best practices and experiences between security actors and coordinating stabilization mechanisms, actions and initiatives. Daisuke Kuroki confirmed his country's commitment to contribute to lasting peace in conflict areas, including Liptako-Gourma.
source: AMAP
