Citation

Wieringen K. Contemp. Voices 2020; 2(1): 1-24.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, School of International Relations, University of St Andrews, Publisher Ubiquity Press)

DOI

10.15664/jtr.1581

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In recent years, Central Mali has witnessed increasing violence perpetrated by radical armed groups and communal militias. This article analyses the role of traditional authorities in the Central Malian conflict situation. It discusses how traditional authorities have become the object of killings, co-optation attempts and marginalisation by radical armed groups, and how they have promoted community cohesion and mediation in reaction to increasing insecurity and communal conflict. The article subsequently describes how traditional authorities in the region have been caught between the warring state and radical groups, both of which constitute serious physical threats, causing the institutional decay of traditional governance.

Language: en

Keywords

communal conflict; customary leaders; Mali; mediation; radical armed groups; traditional authority; village chiefs; violent extremism