Addressing Food Insecurity to Prevent Violent Extremism: A Community-Led Path to Resilience

In Mali, economic hardship and food insecurity do not just cause suffering, they create fertile ground for violent extremist groups to exploit. When families struggle to feed themselves, when they feel abandoned and voiceless, they become more vulnerable to radicalisation. Extremist groups often capitalise on these struggles, offering food, money, and a false sense of belonging in exchange for allegiance.

In Sio commune, floods and market speculation sent grain prices soaring, leaving families struggling to afford their meals. Adding to this was the increased demand for resources due to the influx of survivors—many displaced by extremist violence—which led to further inflation. In this backdrop, Oumou a woman leader and survivor of violent extremism could not watch her people suffer. As the head of the women’s group supported by one of GCERF’s civil society partners, she, along with her fellow members, received equipment and cereals for the cereal trade. Oumou and her co-members of the group decided to utilise their resources, organisational skills and dedication to address the challenges faced by the community. They made a bold choice of selling rice to their community at a fair and affordable price, directly countering the exploitative rates set by speculators.

Their decision was not just about food—it was about protecting their people from deeper crises. By ensuring that families had access to food at fair prices, she did not just ease tensions—she helped close the door to extremist influence. The initiative was not only an economic solution, but also an act of peacebuilding.

“I have undergone a significant personal transformation,” Oumou reflects. “Since our group helped families in distress, I have become a peace mediator who is listened to and respected”. Through her leadership, she continues to strengthen community resilience against extremist narratives and tactics.