May 27, 2025 — We are delighted to welcome a new member, Ms. Zainab, joining the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants.
Ms. Zainab is a former member of National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA), non-state armed groups (NSAG) from northern Mali. During the 2012 conflict, she fled Mali with her family while she was a university student in Bamako and sought refuge in a Mauritanian refugee camp. There, she began supporting her community through various humanitarian efforts. She played a key role in mobilizing financial and logistical support for NSAG-related causes, particularly by developing fundraising mechanisms involving affluent northerners. She remained active in these initiatives until 2023.
"I believe it is time to silence the guns — not just on the battlefield, but in our hearts. Young women & men who once bore arms now carry vision, courage, and the desire to rebuild. Their transformation is not weakness — it is strength. It is proof that peace is not only possible, it is urgent and long overdue. I stand for reconciliation. I believe in giving every young person — especially those who come from conflict — the dignity of a second chance. Reintegration is not charity, it is justice. Through education, entrepreneurship, and healing, we can create communities where hope replaces hostility."
Over the years, Ms. Zainab worked under several international organizations and NGOs. She brings a wealth of experience and grassroots insight. As a woman with lived experience in conflict zones and a record of leadership, she has a strong desire to contribute to advocacy efforts on youth combatants toward peace and resilience in Mali.
For new updates on our task force members, please visit the “MEMBERS” section on our website.
