Leiden University Student Repository

Meyer-Seipp, K. (2012)

Inter-rebel Group Alliances in Multi-party Civil Wars: Overcoming the commitment problem -What factors make rebel group alliances more likely?

Advanced master thesis | Political Science (Advanced Master)

Under which conditions do rebel groups in multi-party civil wars form alliances? This paper proposes that rebel groups, just as nation states, find themselves in an anarchic context and as a result are trapped in a multi tiered dilemma; on the one hand they face a security dilemma which leads them to strive for cooperation, on the other hand they face the commitment problem and fear betrayal. This paper looks at three variables ‘identity’, ‘ideology’ and ‘foreign support’ as factors that are expected to reduce uncertainty, thus should help overcome the commitment problem and ultimately increase the likelihood that an inter-rebel alliance will form. Looking at two cases of inter-rebel alliances that formed during the war in Darfur; the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M) and the National Redemption Front (NRF) this analysis presents an exploratory attempt to identify factors and conditions that make an inter-rebel alliance more likely.

Inter-rebel alliances

rebel groups

multi-party civil war

commitment problem

conflict in Darfur

Author

Meyer-Seipp, K.

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

International Relations and Diplomacy

Supervisors

Willigen, N.J.G.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en