斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Civil-Society-White-Book-on-Peace-and-Security-in-Mali-_2019_-English-Summary_8页_356kb

Civil Society White Book on Peace and Security in Mali (2019) Summary

Core Content

The Civil Society White Book on Peace and Security in Mali (2019) is a comprehensive report by Malian civil society organizations (CSOs), in collaboration with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the National Coalition of Civil Society for Peace and the Fight Against the Proliferation of Small Arms (CONASCIPAL). The report highlights the inadequacy of current national and international security responses and proposes bottom-up policy recommendations to address the root causes of insecurity in Mali.

Main Points

1. Security Situation in Mali

• The security situation in Mali has worsened since the 2012 coup, with a focus on military security proving insufficient.
• Civilian casualties have risen dramatically, with a 300% increase in direct attacks on civilians between November 2018 and March 2019 compared to the previous year.
• Armed groups and local militias have proliferated, and ethnic identities are increasingly used to fuel intercommunity conflicts.
• The 2019 Ogossagou massacre, which killed over 160 people, exemplifies the severity of the situation.

2. Methodology

• The White Book is the outcome of a three-year SIPRI-CONASCIPAL project titled Building a lasting peace in Mali: Contributions of civil society to security policies for the population (2016-2018).
• It includes both quantitative and qualitative studies conducted across Mali's 10 regions and the district of Bamako.
• A network of 15 facilitators and 36 Monitoring Groups was used to collect data, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in perspectives.
• Three geographical zones were identified for analysis: northern, central, and southern.

3. Research Findings

• Local vs. National Security Priorities: Local communities prioritize human security (e.g., access to basic services, justice, education) over military security.
• Regional Disparities: Security needs and perceptions vary significantly across regions, with the north facing severe challenges such as lack of water, economic underdevelopment, and attacks.
• Vulnerable Groups: Women, youth, and poor populations are disproportionately affected by violence and instability. Despite their desire to participate in peacebuilding, they remain underrepresented in decision-making.
• State Mistrust: Civil society expresses strong mistrust in the Malian security forces (FDS), especially in the central regions, due to perceived bias and lack of protection.

4. Key Recommendations

National Level

• Recognize Regional Differences: Policymakers should acknowledge that the security needs of different regions are distinct and avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Incorporate Local Perspectives: Security strategies should be informed by local actors and include grassroots organizations to ensure inclusivity.
• Holistic Human Security Approach: Military operations should be subordinated to a broader human security framework that addresses basic needs and social services.
• Promote Good Governance: A long-term, sustainable transformation of the Malian state is necessary, with a focus on trust-building and social contracts.

Regional Level

• Northern Zone

  • Improve the physical protection of humanitarian actors by making the FDS more mobile and less concentrated.
  • Establish centres for victims of gender-based violence offering medical, psychosocial, and legal support.
  • Include traditional leaders in combating impunity and promote girls' education to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
  • Repair roads and improve transportation infrastructure to reduce attacks and support transhumance.

• Central Zone

  • Prioritize civilian protection in counterterrorism efforts and avoid ethnic polarization.
  • Encourage dialogue between competing groups and implement conflict-reducing measures, such as shared calendars for farmers and herders.
  • Promote decentralization and ensure that local security initiatives are integrated into national security strategies.

• Southern Zone

  • Invest in infrastructure to enhance resilience and prevent conflict.
  • Improve road conditions, water and electricity delivery, and basic social services to support human security.
  • Implement urban planning and public lighting projects in rural and urban areas to combat insecurity.

Conclusion

The White Book underscores the need for a people-centered, evidence-based approach to security in Mali. It advocates for political solutions, socioeconomic development, and inclusive governance to address the deep structural issues that have fueled the crisis. By integrating local voices and perspectives, the report aims to contribute to a more effective and sustainable peace process.