Youth rebellion in the north of the Côte d'Ivoire: reasons for the mobilization

• Published in: Afrika focus Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 51 - 70
• Main Author: Fofana, Moussa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Armed conflict; Côte d'Ivoire; Interviews; Parents; Peer groups; Political integration; Political mobilization; Political participation; Rebellions; Social influence; Social integration; Youth
• ISSN: 0772-084X

ABSTRACT IN FRENCH: Le conflit armé qui a éclaté en Côte d'Ivoire le 19 septembre 2002 a conduit à la partition du pays entre le Nord et le Sud. La rébellion des Forces Nouvelles qui contrôle la moitié nord du pays a justifié son action par la dénonciation de l'exclusion et des injustices sociales dont les « nordistes » seraient les victimes. Cette rébellion a été rejointe par de nombreux jeunes originaires du Nord. Cette étude basée sur les études de cas et biographies de 22 jeunes combattants de la rébellion et des entretiens avec leurs leaders montre les raisons justifiant leur engagement. Elle questionne leurs perceptions du conflit et analyse les rhétoriques de la justification. Il ressort que dans l'ensemble des cas, l'engagement a pour but la reconnaissance de leur citoyenneté qui passe par l'acquisition de cartes d'identités. Le sentiment victimaire né de l'exercice de la violence légale par les forces de l'ordre, la vengeance, le besoin de sécurité ou encore l'attrait pour le métier des armes nourrissent les motivations qui conduisent à l'enrôlement des jeunes. L'étude montre aussi l'existence d'un environnement s'appuyant sur la parenté, un discours culturel et la mobilisation de la mémoire ancestrale collective qui ont favorisé l'adhésion des jeunes nordistes au mouvement rebelle. Au-delà des expériences individuelles, l'étude découvre, non une armée ethnique mais plus une organisation à base identitaire engagée dans la renégociation violente de son appartenance nationale. // ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: The armed conflict that started on 19th September 2002 in Côte d'Ivoire has led to the temporary de facto separation of the country into two entities. The rebels of the 'Forces Nouvelles' have control of the north while the 'Loyalist' camp has retained control of the south. The 'Forces Nouvelles' have justified their actions against the regime by denouncing the social injustice and discrimination that Northerners are said to endure. Also substantial numbers of youths from the North joined the rebel force. This study is based on in depth interviews conducted with 22 of such youths and their leaders. It gives a thorough account of their reasons for enlistment and their perceptions of the conflict. The reasons can be categorized as follows: in the first instance, the fighters claim their right to be fully recognized as Ivorian citizens and to be given official ID cards. Many also express an unwillingness to tolerate the abuses the national security forces have perpetrated against them, alongside their desire for revenge; their search for protection or, in a more self-interested way, their desire to pursue a military career. The study also highlights the influence that parents and peers from the neighbourhood can have on the decision to enlist and specific Northern 'national' discourse discriminated by the rebellion. In the end, far from carrying secessionist claims, the discourses we have recorded express frustration at the continuing exclusion of Northerners from participation in the state. Beyond individual cases, we hypothesize that rebelling has been a way for the youths to re-negotiate their sense of belonging to and in the Nation.