Children sharing their excitement at the radio station
in Almoustarat
"We are very grateful to the Prefect and
his delegation for their mediation efforts in what would
have been a useless misunderstanding...over the radio
issue. We now feel happy to have been educated on this
problem. Our .Council was elected based on consensus.
Therefore, we wish ... all ac-tions to be initiated be
based on consensus.”
- Sidalamine Ag Doho, Vice President of the District Coun-cil |
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Mali is threatened by regional and tribal conflict,
religious extremist groups with possible ties to terrorist
organizations, and a large cohort of disaffected youth
and ex-combatants emanating from the Northern Peace
Accord of 1996. The nomadic populations of the North
remain largely isolated and are often marginalized from
participation in decisions that affect their lives.
In light of these threats, USAID is establishing and
maintaining contact while providing services for the
Nomadic population. Radio has proven to be the most
cost effective means of delivering vital information
on health, nutrition, education, and peace and democracy.
Specifically, under the Conflict Management through
Community Radio Program, USAID's Bureau for Africa and
Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation (DCHA/CMM)
are establishing ten FM radio stations that will reach
an estimated 385,000 people in Mali’s north.
Although, the program is only now completing its first
year, simply the promise of radio has already helped
to develop bonds between two communities characterized
by long standing conflict. USAID assessed the Town of
Tarinkit, with a predominately Touareg population, and
the Town of Almoustarat, predominately Arab, as sites
for a radio station. Almoustarat was ultimately seen
as the most viable site. This caused immediate dismay
from 23 leaders of the Touareg “fractions”
and debate with the leaders of Almoustarat. USAID made
it clear that the two communities had to come to an
agreement or the station would be installed in another
town.
But everyone wanted the radio. First the Touaregs met
and then the Touaregs and Arabs decided to meet to discuss
the issue. Citizens and local authorities came to an
agreement on the site -- Almoustarat. Members of these
two communities were astonished at what they had been
able to achieve. It was the first time inhabitants of
the district had collaborated on anything! They made
decisions that ensured that both communities would benefit
from the presence of the radio; they worked together
to build the station; they selected radio staff and
a steering committee where both communities were fairly
represented. The radio station became operational in
April, 2005, but even prior to broadcasting, the activity
and its preparation has had a profound impact on conflict
management in the area.
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