SÉCURITÉ COMMUNAUTAIRE EN CONTEXTE POSTCRISE EN CÔTE D’IVOIRE : ANALYSE DES PERCEPTIONS LOCALES ET DES DISPOSITIFS SÉCURITAIRES DANS LA RÉGION DU CAVALLY

ABSTRACT: In the aftermath of humanitarian and peacekeeping disengagements, this study examines the evolution of community security in the Cavally region of western Côte d’Ivoire, ten years after the end of major international interventions (2011–2015). Marked by a legacy of intercommunal violence, land tenure disputes, and the proliferation of small arms, Cavally represents a critical terrain for assessing post-crisis security dynamics. Relying on an interdisciplinary framework, blending criminology, conflict sociology, and political anthropology, the research investigates local perceptions of insecurity, identifies prevalent threats, and evaluates the effectiveness of both formal and informal security mechanisms. Conducted in January 2025, the fieldwork is based on 48 qualitative interviews, focus groups, and direct observations in Guiglo, Bloléquin, and Toulépleu. Findings point to a fragile and hybrid security environment characterized by unresolved land conflicts, the persistence of armed civilian groups (notably the dozos), and the expansion of illegal gold mining. In rural areas, the retreat of the state and limited trust in official institutions have spurred the emergence of alternative security providers. Certain state protection failures foster the emergence of hybrid security governance. It contributes to post-conflict security studies by foregrounding local agency and hybrid governance in fragile electoral settings.

Keywords: community security, land conflicts, hybrid governance, armed violence, post-conflict, Côte d’Ivoire