Youth-traditional authorities’ relations in post-war Sierra Leone

Abstract

In Sierra Leone, economic and social marginalisation, and exploitation from chiefs and elders prompted young people to ‘revolt’ against them and the state in search for acceptance, recognition and empowerment. In the post-war period, youths have drawn on certain tenets of the liberal peace including human rights, good governance, development and rule of law to create spaces for exercising ‘resisting power’ as well as negotiating with chiefdom authorities. However, this has not been very effective since in addition to receiving support from state elites, traditional authorities possess material and coercive power which they have used to control the youth. This article argues that it is crucial for critical peace research to move beyond examining power relations between international actors and local actors to also examine power and power relations between various local groups as this also has an influence on the nature of peace being established in a post-war situation.