Paper short abstract:

The case study will analyze the agency of individuals affected by the Casamance conflict. How do inhabitants of a region that experiences a low intensity conflict for three decades position themselves in the face of a situation of neither war nor peace?

Paper long abstract:

The Casamance is an example of a peculiar dialectic. Here both the insistence on violence and the negotiation of peace are rational tactics: Peace brokers and violent actors do ensure their economic survival mutually. On one hand this equilibrium gives the local population means to lessen their grievances, but on the other it impedes any final peace agreement. Consequently the locals are both constrained and empowered by the conflict. How do they positions themselves in this situation? Which actions, motivations, beliefs, loyalties, identifications can be observed among the Casamançais in respect to the conflict?

The situation of neither-war-nor-peace has been mostly discussed on the (macro)-political level. Less is known about the question of agency on a local level. The paper will address the question how individuals in the area act, respectively portray their situation: 1) on one hand they do present themselves as being a victim of manipulation and coercion from various sides: by secessionists, the army, peace brokers and the Senegalese state. 2) On the other hand locals do point out their autonomy. This is expressed openly nowadays, because the conflict has entered a stage where both conflicting forces - the army and the maquisards alike - are competing for the civilian's loyalty. 3) What is not mentioned openly: frères dans la brouse are habitually switching from maquis to civil life and vice versa; some rebels are sponsored by the state.