Identity-based Mobilizations in Contemporary Africa: The Question of Autochthony Note de l'Ifri, August 2009

Summary: The question of identity-based mobilizations in contemporary Africa is often confused, here, by a wrong apprehension of what is the concept of ethnic group. Now, identity-based mobilizations are more variable and complex than just ethnic group, notably in rural territories, on which we focus in this paper. Competition to access farmlands is an interesting laboratory to observe these mobilizations. Depending circumstances and targeted objective, a group of persons could claim different level of his identity.

Alain Antil is the Head of Ifri's Sub-Saharan Africa program. He teaches at the Institut d"Etudes Politiques of Lille and at the Institut Supérieur Technique Outre Mer. He holds a PhD in political geography from the University Rouen.