Paper short abstract:

This contribution focuses on research with mid- to high-ranking rebel officers in western Côte d’Ivoire based on fieldwork since 2008. It reflects on the power relationship between the researcher and researched, risk assessments and the place of the commanders’ views in the 'synthesis'.

Paper long abstract:

This contribution focuses on methodological and ethical challenges in research with mid- to high-ranking rebel officers. It reflects on the power relationship between the researcher and researched, risk assessments and the representation of the commanders' voices in the ethnographic 'synthesis'.

Based on more than 14 months of field research in western Côte d'Ivoire since 2008, this project on social trust and civil security set itself the task to 'talk to all sides'. The rebels' headquarters countersigned the research authorisation from the State and assured me that they had 'nothing to hide'. Nevertheless, the rebel's spokesperson avoided me throughout my stay. I had to learn that what was information to me was intelligence for them and that scientific curiosity was close to prying and spying.

Getting access to the high-ranks with formal research methods proved difficult. Often they declined interviews indirectly and instead suggested to take me out for a drink - shifting research into the informal, sometimes private realm. Listening to some, I began sympathizing with their positions and roles, too. Eventually, I found myself dining with possible 'perpetrators', just to have offered all sides the opportunity to give me their version of reality. Sometimes, I probably mistook my role as an investigative researcher for an investigator, wanting to establish triangulated 'facts'.

Having managed to gather various perspectives, I was left with bringing them together in a concise text; as one of the high-ranks put it: "You listen to everybody, but you don't hear everyone."