Presentation short abstract

Land conversion in central Mali contributes to violence involving herders, as the expansion of agricultural land has led to conflicts. This work aims to explore the mechanisms behind this phenomenon.

Presentation long abstract

Land conflicts remain a significant source of violence in Mali, especially in the central Mopti region. Issues such as converting pasturelands to ricefields, blocking migration routes, and encroaching on Bourgou wetland dry-season pastures threaten pastoral livelihoods and heighten their socio-economic vulnerability. These problems have pushed herders to join jihadi groups for protection, security, and social influence.

This study investigates why pastoralists have joined the jihadist group Katiba Macina. It uses a biographical approach, collecting life stories from individuals associated with jihadist groups. A total of forty-seven semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis. The provisional findings highlight three primary motivations: loss of pasturelands, the need for self-defence, and a desire to control land use in the crucial Inland Niger Delta.