Espaces publics municipaux

In the heart of the Delta and in the midst of struggles for the control of oil, Port Harcourt is hardly able to affirm its autonomy with respect to the central government. The uneven development of the city, and especially historical rivalries between natives and non-natives (or locals and non-locals) have compromised the constitution of a real municipal government. How can one reconcile citizenship and locality in public urban space in contemporary Nigeria ? This is the question raised by this case study. (Résumé d'auteur

Conflicts and the political issues of excess mortality : a case-study from Nigeria

This article deals with the political issues of excess mortality due 'to conflicts. Based on a case-study from Nigeria, it addresses two main points. The first has to do with the methodological possibilities to measure the intensity and the human impact of armed conflicts. In the context of developing countries where official statistics are not reliable and/or not available because they are not published, it argues that violent deaths are the prime indicators that can be used. The second point addresses the methodological difficulties to define precisely political violence. It underlines the problems of resorting to categories like civilians and combatants, public and private actors, criminal politicians and politicized criminals, etc. In this regard, it appears that crime statistics can also be politicized. Thus it is very necessary to establish a proper methodology before undertaking any assessment of risk and the human impact of armed conflicts

Nigeria's interminable insurgency ? : addressing the Boko Haram crisis

Opportunities to address the Boko Haram crisis have been missed, so the situation has become more entrenched, resulting in a seeming reduction in the policy options available to respond. But there are steps that can be taken, primarily by Nigerian state and non-state actors, but also by Nigeria's neighbours and international partners

Populations réfugiées : de l'exil au retour

Résultat de la guerre et de la crise économique en Somalie, une "diaspora de réfugiés" s'est constituée à l'étranger, notamment en Occident. Mal intégrée, celle-ci s'implique beaucoup dans les affaires somaliennes et envoie régulièrement de l'argent aux parents restés dans la Corne de l'Afrique. Relayés par des compagnies spécialisées appelées hawilad, ces transferts de fonds jouent un triple rôle économique, social et politique en Somalie. Dans un contexte de guerre, ils ne soutiennent certes pas des investissements productifs, mais ils pourraient s'avérer plus détermiants en période de reconstruction. (Résumé d'auteur