ABSTRACT

Using data from 10 months of field research in Côte d’Ivoire, this article explores the question of why certain groups of ex-combatants in that country are interested in posing a threat to the state, while others are not. It finds that demobilised pro-Gbagbo fighters who have received the least from the post-conflict period are also those most apathetic about threatening the post-war order. The paper argues this is due to expectations among this group of combatants that they would receive meagre assistance in the aftermath of a conflict they had lost, and the perception that their post-war position would remain fixed. By contrast, those demobilised and reinserted Forces Nouvelles (FN) troops who had lofty expectations of the post-war period because of promises made to them during the conflict, were quick to become frustrated with the post-war reality and make aggressive demands of the government. The study underscores the importance of expectations management and effective communication strategies with ex-combatants in the aftermath of conflict.

摘要

本文使用科特迪瓦10个月的实地研究数据，探讨了一个问题，即为什么该国的某些前战斗人员小组有兴趣对国家构成威胁，而另一些则不然。调查发现，在冲突后时期得到最少援助的复员的亲巴博战斗人员，也最无动于衷于威胁战后秩序。该论文认为，这是由于这群战斗人员期望他们在失去冲突后能得到微薄的援助，并且认为他们战后的地位将保持不变。相比之下，由于在冲突期间对他们作出的诺言而对战后时期抱有很高期望的那些复员和重返部队的新生力量，很快对战后的现实感到沮丧，并对政府提出了激进的要求。该研究强调了冲突后期望管理和与前战斗人员有效沟通策略的重要性。