hundreds of displaced families left without shelter after Bamako’s demolition of Faladiè market

The livestock market of Faladiè, located on the outskirts of Bamako, was demolished over the weekend by municipal bulldozers. This drastic action follows a government decision made in September 2024, prompted by jihadist attacks that targeted military and security installations in the capital.

Originally intended to curb security threats, the demolition also destroyed a makeshift camp sheltering internally displaced persons (IDPs). Over 300 families—primarily from central Mali—now find themselves homeless, adding to the country’s growing humanitarian crisis.

from safety to despair: the story of Dado and her family

Dado, a 40-year-old mother from the Bankass district in central Mali, fled her village in 2020 due to escalating violence. Like thousands of others, she believed Bamako would offer safety. Today, her family of seven—including her elderly mother and four children—is among those displaced once again.

“We thought we were safe here,” she says, reflecting on the six years spent in the Faladiè camp. “But now, we’ve lost everything.”

The demolition has left over 2,000 displaced individuals—mostly women and children—in dire conditions. With no access to food, clean water, or medical care, their situation is increasingly precarious.

a broken promise: the failed relocation to Sanankoroba

Officials claim the displaced should be relocated to Sanankoroba, a site 35 kilometers from Bamako, prepared by the government. However, local livestock traders and displaced residents describe the site as non-functional, lacking basic infrastructure.

“We accept that we must leave,” Dado pleads, “but we beg for another place to go. The priority is a roof over our heads—without it, nothing else matters.”

Before the demolition, many displaced persons earned a living by collecting and reselling food waste to livestock herders. Now, they struggle to meet even their most basic needs.

The informal camp at Faladiè, established in 2019, had received support from both local and international humanitarian organizations, as well as the Malian government. While authorities acknowledge the urgency, the National Directorate of Social Development has yet to provide a clear response, stating it is “too early to comment.”

what’s next for Mali’s displaced?

As Bamako grapples with security measures, displaced families face an uncertain future. Without immediate solutions, the humanitarian toll of the demolition continues to rise, underscoring the fragile balance between security enforcement and humanitarian needs in Mali.