Hundreds of families homeless after Bamako demolishes Faladiè camp

In the outskirts of Bamako, heavy machinery leveled the Faladiè livestock market on Sunday. This action stems from a security policy enacted in September 2024. Following the Jnim attacks on military targets in the capital, authorities in Mali moved to close several cattle markets suspected of serving as hideouts for insurgents. However, the Faladiè market—locally known as a garbal—was also home to a significant population of internally displaced persons from central Mali. Now, hundreds of these families have been cast out onto the streets without support.

“It has been six years since we abandoned our village,” says Dado, a mother in her 40s from the Bankass circle in central Mali. She escaped the escalating violence in 2020, seeking refuge with her children and elders.

“We believed this was a safe haven”

“There are seven of us in total: my mother, my two daughters, and my three sons. We came to the capital specifically to escape the conflict. We always felt that we were protected here,” Dado explains.

Alongside Dado, approximately 300 families who resided in the Faladiè informal settlement have been rendered homeless. This displacement affects over 2,000 individuals, primarily children and women, who are now stranded in a ruined landscape. They currently lack basic necessities such as medical care and nutritional assistance.

Sanankoroba site deemed inadequate for relocation

The state has officially designated a site in Sanankoroba, located 35 kilometers from Bamako, to receive those evicted from Faladiè. However, cattle traders and residents have described this new location as “non-functional” and unprepared for immediate habitation.

For Dado, the primary concern is securing a new roof for her family.

“We are being told to leave, and we accept that. We have no other choice. But we are pleading with the authorities to provide us with a genuine place to relocate,” Dado urges.

“We only came here because we were terrified of the war. Before this demolition, we survived by collecting waste and food scraps to sell to livestock owners. Now, we have nothing—no water, no food. But above all, we need a home. For someone with nowhere to go, finding shelter is the first priority,” a displaced person stated.

Established in 2019, the Faladiè camp had previously received assistance from both international humanitarian groups and local agencies, with the cooperation of Mali’s government. When contacted for comment, the Direction nationale du développement social indicated that it was “too early” to provide a statement on the current crisis.