Main area: Peace and security
Theme: Preventing violent extremism
Assessment: ODA-eligible
Provider country: United States
Recipient country: Mali
Implementing agency: USAID, Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)
Budget (USD x 1000): 1 000
Year(s): 2014-2016
Purpose code: 15110 Public sector policy and administrative management
Case number: Peace and Security / 40
Transition support programme (PAT-Mali)
Since the 1970s, an extremely conservative Wahabbist organisation called ‘Ansar al Sunnah’ (Community of Helpers of the Sunna) has established itself on Kadji Island in Gao and extended along the Niger River. By the mid-nineties, the movement had spread to approximately 30 villages along the river with between 5,000 and 8,000 members.
Some of these communities have isolated themselves in an effort to ensure religious purity. This self-imposed isolation has been accompanied by a marked neglect by the state and surrounding populations. The conflict of 2012 revealed that members of these communities were vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremists.
In order to prevent future radicalisation and recruitment by violent extremists of these communities which have already proven vulnerable, USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) began programming in Gounzoureye Commune in Gao in June 2014. Activities were guided by the following theory of change: if the social, political, economic marginalisation and isolation of communities in Gounzoureye Commune is reduced, then these communities will be less vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremist organisations.
The USAID/OTI strategy included 1) responding to urgent needs in order to gain entry into the community and build trust (e.g., provision of potable water), 2) strengthening connections within and between communities in order to decrease marginalisation (e.g., intercommunity dialogues, intercommunal sport and cultural events), and 3) confronting extremist ideology head-on (e.g., reading and debate clubs, youth exchanges).
OTI delivered more than twenty small grants to enable this strategy. Illustrative projects include the establishment of a training and cultural facility for youth from Gounzoureye’s thirteen villages, development of a Malian youth CVE agenda, dissemination of local language media programming and support for the Government of Mali’s internal CVE Strategy.
Overall, the project was part of a larger effort to help restore a sense of normalcy and reconciliation across northern Mali. It resulted in discernible increases in social cohesion and reconciliation, including improved integration of once-isolated communities and a reduction in religiously conservative attitudes and opinions.
This activity is deemed ODA-eligible. It demonstrates the non-coercive, intentional and targeted use of development assistance approaches to provide positive alternatives to those most at risk of violent extremism in partner countries (see DCD/DAC(2024)40/FINAL, paragraph 139). Specifically, the Reporting Directives specify that work with civil society to prevent radicalisation and promote community engagement is included in ODA (see DCD/DAC(2024)40/FINAL, paragraph 142).
This document was approved by the Development Assistance Committee under a written procedure on 20 October 2017 and prepared for publication by the OECD Secretariat.
This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.
© OECD 2017
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. By using this work, you accept to be bound by the terms of this licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Attribution – you must cite the work.
Translations – you must cite the original work, identify changes to the original and add the following text: In the event of any discrepancy between the original work and the translation, only the text of original work should be considered valid.
Adaptations – you must cite the original work and add the following text: This is an adaptation of an original work by the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this adaptation should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its Member countries.
Third-party material – the licence does not apply to third-party material in the work. If using such material, you are responsible for obtaining permission from the third party and for any claims of infringement.
You must not use the OECD logo, visual identity or cover image without express permission or suggest the OECD endorses your use of the work.
Any dispute arising under this licence shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Arbitration Rules 2012. The seat of arbitration shall be Paris (France). The number of arbitrators shall be one.
