Development of Security for the Poor in the Autonomous District of Abidjan: Sedentary Alternative or Political Instrument?

Abstract

<jats:p>In a context of economic fragility and political crisis from 2002 to 2010, Côte d'Ivoire in general and the Autonomous District of Abidjan in particular constitute a booming market for private security. The objective of this study is to analyse the socio-political logic of the development of private security companies in the Autonomous District of Abidjan. The study uses a dual methodological approach (qualitative and quantitative) with appropriate survey tools, namely a documentary review and semi-directed interviews with a category of actors. This enabled us to arrive at the following results: On the one hand, the activities of security companies and their active roles contribute to the maintenance of social and political order. On the other hand, private security organisations fulfil dual functions. That is, a function of social security partners and a function of social security capital of political actors in the reproduction and maintenance of political power.</jats:p>