Paper short abstract:

African solidarity has been challenged by studies among several vulnerable group. The cases studies of HIV positive people in 3 African countries examine to what extend the solidarity/the process of their isolation vary. These social practices derive from reasonable actions and affective relations.

Paper long abstract:

Recent studies on social ties showed that the so-called "African solidarity", which was believed to be spontaneous, systematic and extensive, is not always the case. In fact the stigma associated to HIV/aids challenge the practice of solidarity among the infected person by HIV . In some cases, several Africans living with HIV receive the support of their families, friends colleagues, but it is also noticed that some others experience the solitude. This study examines to what extend the factors of isolation and the logics of solidarity among people living with HIV particularly in some rural and urban areas of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Togo vary. The analysis of the discourses gathered from biographical interviews, group discussions will help to point out both, the logics of solidarity and the processes which lead to the isolation of the individual from his social group. The logic of solidarity and the process of isolation of the infected person by HIV derive primarily from reasonable actions and also with affective relationship between the person and his social group.