Violences À Abobo (Côte d’Ivoire) Sous L’angle Du Contexte Communautaire

Abstract

This study focuses on analyzing inter-community violence that occurred in the urban district of Abobo (Ivory Coast) in connection with social cohesion factors. On the basis of the actionist theory, the working hypothesis states that the inter-community violence in the urban district of Abobo, is the consequence of a negative ethnocentric identity developed by some citizens against other groups of people. This behavior has been stimulated by the context of the crisis the country has gone through and by a set of sociocultural factors. One hundred and fifty (150) persons were sampled to participate in this study. The tools used for the investigation consists of documentary research, questionnaire, and observation. The qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the data processing. The results of the study show that the appearance of inter-community violence, in the urban district of Abobo, arose out of the social, political and military crisis, as well as from an atmosphere of discrimination, stigmatization, and impunity. Actually, good relations were maintained among the different communities of the district of Abobo. This relation was formerly based on mutual tolerance, forgiveness, acceptance of mutual differences and, most especially, respect for human dignity. But these relations have totally worsened and have unfortunately led to inter-community violence. Also, this violence has negatively impacted the social values that united them. This situation has broken the existing social cohesion between the people living in that urban district.