The dispute between Burkina Faso and Mali over the section of the border had two serious exacerbations, the second of which was the largest interstate conflict in the region.

The first war consisted of skirmishes and clashes on November 25, December 14, 16 and 18, 1974. The Malays began to smash in Bobo-Dioulasso, excited by false rumors that Burkinabites were being killed in Mali. As a result of the pogrom, several dozen people died. They managed to resolve the conflict through the mediation of Sekou Toure.

Second war. By September 1985, the demarcation commission had succeeded in marking 1,000 km of the border for 6 years since its inception. The end of autumn of that year was marked by the transition of prolonged drought to heavy rains that washed away roads and bridges and caused an epidemic of cholera. In an attempt to account for all the victims, on December 20, Burkina Faso tried to conduct a population census, while introducing strict police control; the inspectors, with the support of the army, mistakenly wandered into Mali and tried to carry out their mission in several full camps with the usual severity. This resulted in a rampant violence; On December 25, the Malians attacked the settlements in the disputed zone, but 26 Burkinabe army went on the offensive supported by the air force. However, the Malians managed to impose their strategic plan on their opponents, and as a result went 60 miles deep into Burkina Faso, capturing 4 villages. Libyans and Nigerians acted as mediators, and 30 concluded a ceasefire agreement, which was monitored by a group of 16 observers. At the talks in Cote d’Ivoire between 17th and 18th of January. the parties agreed to resolve disputes peacefully. The total loss account was from 59 to 300 people, but i’s highly imprecise, since the Malians did not publish statistics, and the Burkinabites (who dubbed the events “Christmas War”) counted 40 killed, including civilians.

In December 1986, both sides were satisfied with the decision of the International Court of Justice, which divided the territory almost exactly in half.  

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