Reports and articles
Islands in the storm: civilian survival deals with the warring parties in Sudan
This paper examines how Sudanese civilians, facing widespread violence from the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been compelled to negotiate survival strategies with warring factions. This report highlights the shift in Sudan’s power struggle, which has devolved from a national conflict into highly localized battles, particularly in Darfur. In response, local community leaders and power brokers have facilitated fragile truces to provide temporary protections, allow for trade, and secure safe passage for civilians.
Resist, negotiate, submit? civilian agency and jihadism in Central Mali
This paper examines life under jihadist groups like JNIM in Mali, looking at the different survival strategies civilians employ.
Climate adaptation in no-man's land: bridging the conflict-climate gap
This paper examines climate change and armed groups, specifically the failure the address climate adaptation in areas beyond state control.
Citizens without states: the implications of non-recognition for people in de facto states
This paper examine the impact of non-recognition of de facto authorities on the people living in these territories. Arguing that the negative social, economic and well being impacts are profound, it urges for a re-think approaches to de facto authority.
Diverse pathways to people-centred justice
Globally, most people do not resort to formal justice systems to address their justice problems. Rather, they rely on diverse pathways to justice often referred to collectively as “customary and informal justice.” Published by IDLO on behalf of the Working Group on CIJ and SDG16+, of which the Centre is a member, this report highlights the need for more people-centered approaches to justice.
Playing the long game: exploring the relationship between Al-Shabab and civilians in areas beyond state control
Based on extensive research in Al-Shabab controlled areas of Somalia, this paper explores dynamics between Al-Shabab and those who live under their control.
Crime and communities: life under criminal group control
This paper argues that we should not see ‘political’ and ‘criminal’ groups as separate categories. Instead, we should envision a spectrum of motives and practices across all armed groups, regardless of how they are labelled.
Understanding agency in civilian-armed group interactions
This joint paper with ODI explores what we know (and what we don’t) about how ordinary people engage with armed groups.