In 2012, a rebellion in the North of Mali created a situation of complete insecurity. The Malian state fled the region and the people were left to their own devices. In response, ethnically organised groups of self-defense were formed.

In this video, two of the leaders of Ganda Izo militia talk about the insecurity which led them to organise themselves to defend their people.

Ganda izo: the Fulbe Self-defense group in northern Mali from Connecting in Times of Duress on Vimeo.

Boukary Sangaré is a PhD student at Leiden University. Click here to read more about his research project ‘Conflit et mobilité dans l’espace Saharo-Sahélien malien : les médias sociaux chez les éleveurs pasteurs/nomades peuls et Touaregs en question’.