Condolences for the family of Dr. Ouayara Koné

The Indigenous Peoples Unit of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) expresses its condolences to the Kel Tamasheq people and the family of Dr. Ouayara Koné

Dr. Ouayara Koné was a veterinary and active collaborator of the Réseau des Peuples Pasteurs du Sahel (RPPS), Mali. He spent most of his career as an officer at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. In particular, he was National Deputy-Director of the National Directorate of the Veterinary Services and served as technical advisor to the Minister in charge of livestock and fisheries.

Dr. Ouayara Koné held great knowledge about food systems, pastoralists and the Kel Tamasheq people in Mali. He was instrumental in the preparation of the food system’s profile of the Kel Tamasheq in Mali, published in the award-wining 2021 FAO and Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT book on Indigenous Peoples’ food systems: Insights on sustainability and resilience from the front line of climate change.

Dr. Ouyanará Koné will be remembered as a hearted, dedicated, strong, and attentive person and his legacy will be essential to continue generating a better understanding of Indigenous Peoples and pastoralists’ knowledge and solid relation with Mother Earth.

May he rest in peace.