This month, RESOLVE highlights recommended readings from our Policy Note, The Role of CBAGs in Combatting the Expansion of Islamist Extremism in Côte D’Ivoire and Benin. Author Jessica Moody seeks to address the challenges and opportunities posed by the role of CBAGs in combatting the expansion of Islamist extremism in Côte D’Ivoire and Benin. This What We’re Reading digest was recommended by the author to give background on community-based armed groups, Islamist extremism and its expansion in West Africa and the Sahel, and land conflict.

On community-based armed groups

Gourlay, Youenn. “Les Chasseurs Dozos, Gardiens Sacrés et Encombrants du Nord Ivoirien.” Le Monde Afrique, November 14, 2019. https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2019/11/14/les-chasseurs-dozos-g…

Van Metre, Lauren. From Self-Defense to Vigilantism: A Typology Framework of Community-Based Armed Groups. Washington, DC: Resolve Network, 2019.

On Islamist extremism and its expansion in West Africa and the Sahel

Interpeace. “Au-Delà de l’Idéologie et de l’Appât du Gain: Trajectoires des Jeunes Vers les Nouvelles Formes de Violence en Côte d’Ivoire et au Mali.” October 2016: 15-58

Ammour, Laurence-Aida. “How Violent Extremist Groups Exploit Intercommunal Conflicts in the Sahel.” Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, February 26, 2020.

Cline, Lawrence. “Jihadist Movements in the Sahel: Rise of the Fulani?” Terrorism and Political Violence, March 8, 2021.

Buchanan-Clarke, Stephen and Sibusiso Nkomo. “Violent Extremism in Africa: Citizen Perspectives from the Sahel Epicentre and Periphery.” Afrobarometer Policy Paper, July 2021: 1-19.

Assanvo, William and Baba Dakono, Lori-Anne Théroux-Bénoni and Ibrahim Maïga. “Violent Extremism, Organised Crime and Local Conflicts in Liptako-Gourma.” Institute for Security Studies, December 2019: 1-24.

Le Roux, Pauline. “Responding to the Rise in Violent Extremism in the Sahel.” Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, no.36 (2019): 1-9.

On land conflict

Chauveau, Jean Pierre. “Question Foncière et Construction Nationale en Côte d’Ivoire : Les Enjeux Silencieux d’un Coup d’Etat.” Politique Africaine 2, no.78 (2000): 94-125.

Speight, Jeremey. “’Une Instabilite Permanente?’: Land Authority and Bouna’s Post-Conflict Violence Over the Longue Durée.” Afrique Contemporaine 3, no.263-264 (2017): 197-215.