Negotiating statehood
Dynamics of state (re)construction in societies after civil war
Drawing on case studies of post-conflict settings in West Africa and in the Horn of Africa, this research project intends to produce a “political ethnography” describing how various African states actually work and how statehood emerges from negotiation processes between diverse local, national, and international actors. A special emphasis on secondary cities will provide new insights into the way peripheral areas are involved in and affected by state (re)construction.
Research Project Co-leaders
Didier Péclard
Swiss Peace Foundation (swisspeace)
Bern, Switzerland
Francis Akindès
Université de Bouaké
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Partnership Regions Involved
West Africa
Horn of Africa