Islamist governance and land disputes: how does Katiba Macina resolve conflicts in central Mali?

Armed groups often labeled ‘jihadists’ have gained control over large rural areas in the Inland Niger Delta in Mali. Since 2015, Katiba Macina, a group with a strong pastoralist orientation, has governed this area and facilitated the resolution of long-standing land conflicts. This study examines Katiba Macina’s and the Malian state’s approaches to resolving land conflicts.From a list of 151 disputes in central Mali, we analyzed 20 cases where Katiba Macina intervened between 2016 and 2022. Using semi-structured interviews and document analysis, we examine how Qadis mobilize Islamic jurisprudence, Tarikhs, and local customs. Findings reveal a hybrid justice system rooted in legal pluralism, blending Islamic law, historical documentation, customary norms, and coercive force.Katiba Macina has established a proto-governance system to resolve land disputes by drawing on the legacy of the 19th-century Macina Caliphate. This has anchored its legitimacy and addressed the gaps caused by the state’s absence and corruption. The system’s Qadi-dependent decisions are based on Tarikhs and testimonies. Of the 20 cases reviewed, 19 were resolved in accordance with consistent principles, although enforcement was often coercive. Bias was evident, favoring those connected to Katiba Macina, indicating that its hybrid jihadist justice is vulnerable to favoritism and corruption.