A “Warrior” Generation? Political Violence and Subjectivation of Young Militamen in Ivory Coast

Abstract

Since the outbreak of war in 2002, militia organizations have flourished in the southern regions of the country. This chapter analyzes the role of these militia since the official end of the war and examines their social and political influence. Studies of urban militia in the west of the country and in Abidjan show that since the official end of the conflict young recruits have gained considerable power on the local and national levels, thus disrupting intergenerational relations—though the chapter insists that the phenomenon is variable and contingent on groups and regions. Although some former fighters have become exemplary figures of social success, others feel the process of peace has left them behind. The chapter discusses the brutalization of Ivory Coast society and the subjectivation of youth by violence. It foresees the possible spread of a “war ethos,” on the hypothesis that it is most likely linked to an (im-) moral ghetto economy dominated by the ambiguous figure of the urban “warrior.”

“These young people, after all that’s going to happen, are coming back. Could they remain at the level of the army? These are young people that the government will no longer…after all that, the government will no longer be able to find positions for them. That’s going to create still other problems, and we’re going to experience the same problems tomorrow or possibly even in two or three years. A group of unruly youth, maybe a group enrolled in 2001 or 2002 starting a new war. Because, the government might not have held to something with them. Because it’s always like that. The problem is going to stick around with those young people, it’ll be around tomorrow. So, somehow, that rebellion…what’s happening now—enrolling young people to do your dirty work—that can turn against you.”¹