Once again, Mali is at the crossroads. Both its leaders and the armed opposition have a huge responsibility. The failure of the current negotiations in Algiers would be terrible for the people of the North, as it would for the country as a whole and the wider sub-region. What can be done to prepare for post-Algiers Mali, where it will be necessary to ensure that there are peace dividends for the population and those who were involved in the violence? On what should these be based, what can be done in terms of preparation and what strategies can be put in place?
Following conferences on “The Food Crisis in the Sahelian Strip” (Ndjamena 2012), “Resilience, from the general concept to the specific context of the Sahel” (Dakar, 2013), “Humanitarian space and access to vulnerable communities in Northern Mali” (Bamako, February 2014) and “Increasing the complementarity between humanitarian and development aid in post-conflict zones in Northern Mali” (Bamako, March 2014), Groupe URD organized a new debate to allow Malian institutions and partners to discuss ideas and strategic planning.
The conference brought together organisations from Malian civil society, UN agencies and international NGOs, donors and representatives of the Barkhane and MINUSMA forces. Discussions were constructive and innovative; the main points have been summarised in the form of key messages, which are presented below.