Exploring local knowledge in deradicalization: A study of grassroots peacebuilding initiatives in Mali

Abstract

The Sahel region faces overlapping crises driven by environmental stressors, armed conflict, and socio economic challenges. Climate instability, population growth (Cincotta & Smith, 2021), fragile governance, and widespread poverty continue to undermine security and development (Neethling, 2023; Tesfaye, 2022). The presence of jihadist insurgencies and Violent Extremist Groups (Tesfaye, 2022) exacerbate these issues, and, despite international and regional efforts to build resilience (Bøås, 2013; Gallagher et al., 2022; Murphy, 2020; van Dijk, 2017), development remains stagnant. Scholars highlight the lack of local knowledge integration in conflict resolution strategies as a key barrier (Aning, 2024, Benjaminsen & Boubacar, 2019, Bere, 2017, Rosand et al., 2022, van Dijk 2017). This thesis seeks to answer the following research question: How do grassrooot initiatives incorporate community knowledge into their strategies for combating radicalization in Mali? Using a qualitative case study approach, it examines five Malian civil society organizations: Association Malienne pour la Survie au Sahel (AMSS), Coalition Nationale de la Société Civile pour la Paix et la Lutte contre la Prolifération des Armes Légères (CONASCIPAL), Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF-Mali), Association des Jeunes pour la Citoyenneté Active et la Démocratie (AJCAD), and Institut Malien de Recherche Action pour la Paix (IMRAP). Findings reveal community-driven approaches focusing on education, gender equality, and security reforms. These align with a “Security from Below” model, based on local agency. However, data limitations highlight the need for greater investment in locally grounded knowledge production.

A região do Sahel enfrenta crises sistémicas devido a fatores ambientais, conflitos armados e desafios socioeconómicos. A instabilidade climática, o crescimento populacional (Cincotta & Smith, 2021), a fraca governação e a pobreza continuam a prejudicar a segurança e o desenvolvimento (Neethling, 2023; Tesfaye, 2022). A presença de insurgências jihadistas e Grupos Extremistas Violentos (Tesfaye, 2022) insentisifca estas dificuldades, e, apesar dos esforços internacionais e regionais para promover a resiliência (Bøås, 2013; Gallagher et al., 2022; Murphy, 2020; van Dijk, 2017), o desenvolvimento continua estagnado. Investigadores apontam a falta de integração do conhecimento local nas estratégias de resolução de conflitos como uma barreira importante (Aning, 2024; Benjaminsen & Boubacar, 2019; Bere, 2017; Rosand et al., 2022; van Dijk, 2017). Esta dissertação pretende responder à questão: De que forma é que as iniciativas de base incorporam o conhecimento da comunidade nas suas estratégias de combate à radicalização no Mali? Através de um estudo de caso qualitativo, analisei o trabalho de cinco organizações da sociedade civil maliana: Association Malienne pour la Survie au Sahel (AMSS), Coalition Nationale de la Société Civile pour la Paix et la Lutte contre la Prolifération des Armes Légères (CONASCIPAL), Women in Law and Development in Africa – Mali (WILDAF-Mali), Association des Jeunes pour la Citoyenneté Active et la Démocratie (AJCAD) e Institut Malien de Recherche Action pour la Paix (IMRAP). Os resultados revelam abordagens focadas na educação, igualdade de género e segurança, refletindo o modelo “Security From Below”, no entanto, as limitações de dados observadas exigem mais investimento local.