Mali - November 2023 - Food systems - Justice and peace - photo by Mickael Franci
Mohamed Mahmoud Elhadj, participant in Cordaid's PGLR+ programme in Timbuktu, Mali.
Mohamed is 26 years old. When the unrest broke out around Timbuktu, he moved to Bamako where he attended the university.
After his graduation, he returned to his beloved city to support other young people in achieving their dreams as well.
“I was appointed as a young leader. This programme helped me a lot. The training reinforces cohesion between communities. They must work together. And youth are the lungs of the development of Timbuktu.
Young people are active, through organisations, through meetings. The movement is demanding more transparency, better management, and more youth leadership.
The country is facing a crisis and the situation in the north is very complex.
There was a horrible attack on a boat in Timbuktu in September. Everyone from Timbuktu knows at least one of the victims. We experience those types of incidents. The whole country was outraged by this attack. This violence hurts all Malians.
It was truly reprehensible and barbaric, and everyone condemned the attack.
But there is still life in Timbuktu. Life goes on. They say the city is mysterious. This is so true. You need to live in Timbuktu to understand it.
There are confrontations between different communities living in Timbuktu. Between fishermen and farmers, for example. The young leaders intervened and resolved the issue peacefully.
We also organise football competitions. They bring young people together and favour social cohesion.
I studied in Bamako and I finished in 2017. I had plenty of opportunities to stay in the capital. But I said no to all of them.
Why? My objective was always to return to Timbuktu. Many young people leave. I returned. I’m very proud of my city and of what I do.
I came back to Timbuktu to bring something to young people. To organise this training. We train them on how to deconstruct hate speech. And the notions of civil society, citizenship and democracy too. These training courses are free and will give them the necessary skills.
Timbuktu needs some stadiums, because young people love football. We could also use conference rooms and a renovation of the university, so more young people can come and study there.
For my city, and Mali in general, I wish for peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion. And I hope the refugees can return to their homes.”
---
Mali, one of the largest countries in the West African Sahel region, is known for its rich history and fascinating mix of cultures. Unfortunately, political turbulence and various regional conflicts have affected almost the entire population in the last decade. These and other challenges, such as climate change, food insecurity and mass displacement, call for an approach that gives Malians the means they need to turn the tide and move forward.
To make a lasting impact on the struggling West African regions, Cordaid believes we need a holistic approach that positively influences the most crucial elements in people’s daily lives. By combining efforts in strengthening civil society, creating a fair value chain, educating youth on topics such as sexual and reproductive health and rights and allowing them to influence governance and peace processes, we can pave the way to a peaceful and just future for all Malians.
Cordaid's programmes in Mali:
PGLR+
The Accountable Local Governance Programme (PGLR+) in Mali seeks to strengthen democratic institutions in 240 municipalities across the Gao, Tombouctou, Mopti, and Ségou regions. Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mali, the programme is carried out by a consortium of four Dutch NGOs: SNV, Oxfam Novib, the V4T Foundation, and Cordaid.
JNJ2
Jege ni Jaba means 'fish and onions' in Bambara, Mali's lingua franca. It is also the name of a programme that improves food security in the country. Some value chains have all the necessary conditions to be developed on a larger scale. However, farmers and producers are often facing challenges to grow their businesses. The main objectives of the programme are improving people's livelihoods, without increasing the pressure on the environment, and creating economic opportunities for women and youth.
Just Future
Just Future is a programme led by an alliance of international and local NGOs and civil society organisations to strengthen the capacity of civil society in fragile contexts. The alliance partners demand more accessible, responsive and accountable security and justice institutions, and more inclusive political governance and peace-making.
Jigiya
One of the goals of the Jigiya project ('hope' in Bambara) is to educate at least one million girls and boys on sexual and reproductive health and rights. The programme aims to significantly improve the youth's reproductive health and to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. Cordaid provides technical assistance to the Jigiya project, which is being implemented in four regions: Kayes, Koulikoro, Segou and Mopti.
Mali - November 2023 - Food systems - Justice and peace - photo by Mickael Franci
Mohamed Mahmoud Elhadj, participant in Cordaid's PGLR+ programme in Timbuktu, Mali.
Mohamed is 26 years old. When the unrest broke out around Timbuktu, he moved to Bamako where he attended the university.
After his graduation, he returned to his beloved city to support other young people in achieving their dreams as well.
“I was appointed as a young leader. This programme helped me a lot. The training reinforces cohesion between communities. They must work together. And youth are the lungs of the development of Timbuktu.
Young people are active, through organisations, through meetings. The movement is demanding more transparency, better management, and more youth leadership.
The country is facing a crisis and the situation in the north is very complex.
There was a horrible attack on a boat in Timbuktu in September. Everyone from Timbuktu knows at least one of the victims. We experience those types of incidents. The whole country was outraged by this attack. This violence hurts all Malians.
It was truly reprehensible and barbaric, and everyone condemned the attack.
But there is still life in Timbuktu. Life goes on. They say the city is mysterious. This is so true. You need to live in Timbuktu to understand it.
There are confrontations between different communities living in Timbuktu. Between fishermen and farmers, for example. The young leaders intervened and resolved the issue peacefully.
We also organise football competitions. They bring young people together and favour social cohesion.
I studied in Bamako and I finished in 2017. I had plenty of opportunities to stay in the capital. But I said no to all of them.
Why? My objective was always to return to Timbuktu. Many young people leave. I returned. I’m very proud of my city and of what I do.
I came back to Timbuktu to bring something to young people. To organise this training. We train them on how to deconstruct hate speech. And the notions of civil society, citizenship and democracy too. These training courses are free and will give them the necessary skills.
Timbuktu needs some stadiums, because young people love football. We could also use conference rooms and a renovation of the university, so more young people can come and study there.
For my city, and Mali in general, I wish for peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion. And I hope the refugees can return to their homes.”
---
Mali, one of the largest countries in the West African Sahel region, is known for its rich history and fascinating mix of cultures. Unfortunately, political turbulence and various regional conflicts have affected almost the entire population in the last decade. These and other challenges, such as climate change, food insecurity and mass displacement, call for an approach that gives Malians the means they need to turn the tide and move forward.
To make a lasting impact on the struggling West African regions, Cordaid believes we need a holistic approach that positively influences the most crucial elements in people’s daily lives. By combining efforts in strengthening civil society, creating a fair value chain, educating youth on topics such as sexual and reproductive health and rights and allowing them to influence governance and peace processes, we can pave the way to a peaceful and just future for all Malians.
Cordaid's programmes in Mali:
PGLR+
The Accountable Local Governance Programme (PGLR+) in Mali seeks to strengthen democratic institutions in 240 municipalities across the Gao, Tombouctou, Mopti, and Ségou regions. Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mali, the programme is carried out by a consortium of four Dutch NGOs: SNV, Oxfam Novib, the V4T Foundation, and Cordaid.
JNJ2
Jege ni Jaba means 'fish and onions' in Bambara, Mali's lingua franca. It is also the name of a programme that improves food security in the country. Some value chains have all the necessary conditions to be developed on a larger scale. However, farmers and producers are often facing challenges to grow their businesses. The main objectives of the programme are improving people's livelihoods, without increasing the pressure on the environment, and creating economic opportunities for women and youth.
Just Future
Just Future is a programme led by an alliance of international and local NGOs and civil society organisations to strengthen the capacity of civil society in fragile contexts. The alliance partners demand more accessible, responsive and accountable security and justice institutions, and more inclusive political governance and peace-making.
Jigiya
One of the goals of the Jigiya project ('hope' in Bambara) is to educate at least one million girls and boys on sexual and reproductive health and rights. The programme aims to significantly improve the youth's reproductive health and to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. Cordaid provides technical assistance to the Jigiya project, which is being implemented in four regions: Kayes, Koulikoro, Segou and Mopti.