On 28 October 2026 in Tambacounda, the Timbuktu Institute – African Center for Peace Studies and the MEDIA/PCIEV Network signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their cooperation in countering disinformation, preventing intercommunal conflict and combating violent extremism. The agreement, concluded for an initial renewable term of three years, focuses in particular on building the capacity of the media and community actors.

In response to the security and information challenges facing the Tambacounda region, the Timbuktu Institute and the MEDIA/PCIEV Network intend to pool their efforts to promote reliable information and contribute to peacebuilding. The partnership is part of an action-research and conflict-prevention approach, with particular attention to local realities.

Located on the Dakar-Bamako corridor and close to the borders with Mali, Guinea and The Gambia, the Tambacounda region faces several vulnerabilities, including the repercussions of insecurity in the Sahel, illicit cross-border activities and tensions over resources. In this context, the spread of rumours and misleading content on social media, particularly through voice messages in national languages, can fuel tensions and undermine social cohesion.

To address these challenges, the memorandum provides for training and awareness-raising activities for media professionals and community actors. These will cover fact-checking, conflict-sensitive journalism, digital security and media literacy, among other topics.

The agreement also provides for the creation of a regional fact-checking network bringing together radio stations, press correspondents and young community relays in the departments of Goudiry, Tambacounda and Koumpentoum.

The two partners also aim to draw up a local charter for media coverage of security incidents and sensitive issues. Awareness-raising programmes in national languages will also be developed on living together, conflict prevention and the promotion of community mediation mechanisms.

Cooperation will further cover strengthening early warning mechanisms, sharing analyses of local information dynamics and involving members of the MEDIA/PCIEV Network in the Timbuktu Institute’s field research. Analyses from the Institute’s Social Media Observatory may also contribute to a better understanding of disinformation and help adapt prevention initiatives to realities on the ground.

The partnership also seeks to preserve the editorial independence of the network’s members and to promote media pluralism. Both parties further emphasise the prevention of any stigmatisation based on ethnic, religious or community affiliation, as well as respect for human dignity and freedom of criticism.

To monitor this cooperation, a steering committee made up of representatives of both organisations, with representation from the three departments concerned, will be responsible for overseeing activities and drawing up an annual action plan.

Source: Dakaractu