With Open Arms? A Conjoint Experiment on Attitudes towards Reintegrating Former Boko Haram Fighters in Nigeria

• In Event: Poster Session: Political Psychology

Abstract

Community acceptance of former fighters is key to post-conflict reconciliation, but how willing are civilians to welcome back former fighters? We conducted a conjoint experiment with a large pool of Nigerian adolescents (N $>$ 2,000) aimed at unravelling reconciliation attitudes towards former Boko Haram members. In particular, we examined how civilians’ attitudes are shaped by certain background characteristics of the former combatants, the atrocities committed during their enrolment in Boko Haram, and the actions they have undertaken since leaving the insurgency. While the Nigerian youth is divided about whether and when to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram fighters, the conjoint experiment nonetheless elucidated how certain preconditions as well as actions undertaken by former combatants in the period after leaving Boko Haram can induce more support for reintegration as well as stimulate belief in the success of the reintegration process. The results may have important implications for the study of conflict resolution, reintegration, and reconciliation more generally.

Authors

• Amélie Godefroidt, KU Leuven

• Fade Rimon Eadeh