Sikasso, Korhogo and Bobo Dioulasso form a triangular intersection of production and circulation of people and trade. The three towns, located 400 km from large urban centres (Bamako, Bouaké, Ouagadougou), possess the intrinsic dynamics necessary for autonomous development. This development is supported by cultural unity between Voltaic, Sénoufo and Bobo, with the age-old presence, in trade and power, of the Dioula minority (Mandingue group). Finally, regional planning based on industrial agriculture and regional trade can be seen through the dominating industry: cotton. The crisis in Côte d'Ivoire demonstrated the need to develop an integrated capacity to respond to the growing regional and world market. Would synergies between some key sectors provide an answer where national strategies have otherwise failed: the integration of cotton and livestock, local fabrication of fertilizer, etc.? The process was launched at the Sikasso workshop co-organised by the SWAC, MDP, and UNOWA with the active participation of the DNF (National Borders Directorate of Mali) in September 2005. See Synthesis.

Calendar 2007:

April: General Assembly of the Radio Stations Network organised by the MDP in Sikasso and organisation of a pilot operation follow-up meeting during Festrim (Arts, Rites and Music Festival of black farmers), Banfora-Burkina.

 Since 2006...

April: The MDP supported the implementation of a Radio Stations Network in the border zone and the Cross-border Directory of Administrations of the Sikasso-BoboDioulasso zone was finalised.

May: During its Integration Week, Mali organised a meeting on border cooperation in Kayes.

June: The “Kurumba” Radio Stations Network was officially launched with the MDP’s support. Three broadcasts were produced. See Synthesis.

December: Facilitation underway for the pilot operation financed by the UNDP Burkina and Mali.