Fulani-Dogon, brothers who have become enemies
This report published by the French newspaper La Libération reviews the relationship between the Fulani and Dogon ethnic groups, who lived in traditionally complementary ways. Drawing on local interviews, the article explains the traditional roles each group played, describes the changes that occurred following the jihadist occupation and analyses the root causes of tension, which has caused escalating intercommunal violence. While a system of sponsorship ensured the cohesion of society over decades, deadly intercommunal incidents are now on the rise. In 2019, nearly 500 Malians were killed in clashes in central Mali, including 370 in killings or murders involving Dozo militiamen. The wave of violence peaked on 23 March 2019 at the Ogossagou massacres, when some 160 Fulani herders were killed.
