The Dynamics of Post-Conflict Reintegration: Experience from Gulu, Jigjiga, and Jos Cities
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Date
2025-11-21
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
Various forms of conflict and displacement are increasingly shaping urban Africa.
Although many studies have focused on the causes and consequences of conflicts,
little is known about the urban conflict resilience and re-integration of conflict
induced displacements. Situated within the expanding literature on urban peace
building, this article explores how people reintegrate and manage the uncertainties
caused by conflicts in the urban Africa. Using a qualitative method, it comparatively
studied three cities: Jigjiga in Ethiopia, Gulu in Uganda, and Jos in Nigeria. The
results show that amidst the emerging urbanization of violence, various forms of
social capital play a critical role in mitigating the uncertainty caused by violence
and displacement. Religious capital, residence-based, clan and ethnic networks
facilitated the integration of migrants, IDPs and refugees and supported them to
reintegrate and reclaim lost properties and places faster. Women and youth led
vigilantism efforts that served as informal governance mechanisms and community
watchdogs have been part of the key tool for the governance of urban conflict.
The study shows the growing urbanisation of humanitarian and community-based
association following the urbanising conflicts. Although formal government institutions contribute, affected populations tend to place greater trust in their social
networks during times of crisis to survive or reintegrate. But some of the existing
social capital operated within homogenous groups, fostering bonding rather than
bridging across religious and ethnic divides. This led to increased segregation and
heightened mistrust among urban residents.
Description
Keywords
Conflict governance, Social Capital, Urban Peace building, Post Conflict re-integrarion