Pilot Operation: Sikasso - Bobo Dioulasso

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Background

Sikasso, Korhogo and Bobo Dioulasso form a triangular intersection of production and circulation of people and trade. The three towns, located 400 km from large urban centres (Bamako, Bouaké, Ouagadougou), possess the intrinsic dynamics necessary for autonomous development. This development is supported by cultural unity between Voltaic, Sénoufo and Bobo, with the age-old presence, in trade and power, of the Dioula minority. Finally, regional planning based on industrial agriculture and regional trade can be seen through the dominating industry: cotton. Would synergies between some key sectors provide an answer where national strategies have otherwise failed?

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Origin

The process was launched at the Sikasso workshop co-organised by the SWAC, MDP, and UNOWA with the active participation of the Mali's National Borders Directorate (DNF) in September 2005. This is the first pilot operation implemented within the framework of the ECOWAS Cross-Border Initiatives Programme (CIP). > summary record (French)

Objectives

The pilot operation's aim is to stimulate information-sharing and promote collaboration between local actors in this cross-border area. Joint initiatives aim to strengthen the relationship between the border populations and contribute to the concrete improvement of their livelihoods.

Activities & Results

Among the 19 concrete proposals, formulated by the Sikasso workshop participants at the end of September 2005, three initiatives became operational very quickly, in particular thanks to PDM's support:

Launching of the "Kurumba" community radio stations network: The community radio stations in the area are now organised within a network and co-produce programmes; this makes it easier to disseminate important messages regarding health (the spread of epidemics, the fight against crime, etc.). > learn more (French)
Elaboration of a Cross-Border Directory: This Directory enables people living in the region to find and contact the nearest health services; it also enables technical services in both States to be more familiar with one another and thereby collaborate more effectively. Several thousand copies of the Cross-Border Directory have been distributed in the region. > download the Directory (French - 4,6 Mb)
Free movement of ambulances across the border: This pragmatic solution required simply an agreement between the authorities of the two countries.

Partners

The Municipal Development Partnership (PDM) co-ordinates, in partnership with the SWAC, the implementation of this pilot operation within the framework of its Programme for local and territorial development in West and Central Africa: www.amenagement-afrique.com ;
The Ministries for Local Authorities, Land Management and Decentralisation of Burkina Faso and Mali facilite the implementation of joint initiatives at the administrative level;
ECOWAS provides institutional support within the framework of its Cross-Border Initiatives Programme (CIP).

Funding

The UNDP offices in Burkina Faso and Mali provided 160,000 US$ to fund a facilitation programme for the entire programme (80,000 US$ for each side of the border). The cross-border initiatives require a minimum of investment (a few thousand euros) yet with proportionately significant impact. The implementation of the other proposals has experienced however considerable delays due to the difficulty of mobilising funds.

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