In Mali, Higher Incomes and Social Solidarity as an Antidote to Militancy

In 2013, much of Mali was controlled by armed insurgents. With French military and American intelligence and other support, Mali’s government reestablished formal control of the country. French troop sare still stationed there.

And militant groups are still active.

Such insurgencies rely on the recruitment of soldiers,especially young men who view armed conflict as a source of income as much as an ideological or political struggle. Militant groups often pay many times what people can earn in the agricultural sector, which dominates Mali and other developing countries.

In the long-term, this must be countered by increased agricultural in comes, better governance and enhanced social ties that make recruiters from outside less attractive.

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