First Quarterly Progress Report, October 16 – December 31, 2019: People at Peace (Lafia)

The program aims to increase resilience to conflict and violent extremism in urban and rural communities through a people-to-people approach. The program's objectives are to reduce youth vulnerability to participating in conflict and violent extremism, resolve inter-group conflicts peacefully, and engage local communities to prevent extremism and promote reconciliation. The program's scope focuses on five regions in Mali, including Kayes, Kayes, and Bamako. The program's budget is $1,499,526, funded by USAID's Food Security Program. The program's implementation period is from October 16, 2019, to September 30, 2021. During the first quarter of implementation, Mercy Corps and Think Peace completed the recruitment and staffing of local team members, including program assistants and program officers. The team conducted preparatory activities, including outreach to local actors and collection of information on the local context. The team also conducted a baseline study and finalized the program's work plan. The program's start-up activities included the launch ceremony, which took place on December 4, 2019, in Kayes. The ceremony was attended by government officials, community leaders, and private sector representatives. The program's objectives and activities were presented, and the program's potential impact on the region was highlighted. The social climate in Mali during the first quarter was marked by tensions and protests. Demonstrations were held in Bamako, Kati, and Mopti region, denouncing the presence of foreign forces and MINUSMA. The government initiated the national inclusive dialogue from December 14 to 22, but the opposition parties boycotted the initiative. The Kayes and Kayes region experienced land conflicts related to slavery, intimidation by radical groups, and rumors of attacks. The defense and security forces reinforced their positions to prepare for any eventuality. The government's initiative to address the challenges of the peace process remains uncertain. The program's implementation is expected to be challenging due to the complex social and political context in Mali. However, the program's objectives and activities are designed to address the root causes of conflict and promote reconciliation in the region.