The paradox of traditional leadership in post-conflict reintegration: Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

This article examines how local elites influence public support for the reintegration of former combatants in post-conflict situations. The study employs a conjoint survey experiment conducted in communities across Borno, northeastern Nigeria—the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency. It assesses how community members respond to endorsements of former extremists by traditional leaders, considering various scenarios regarding the returnee's behavior and identity. The findings suggest that, despite common beliefs that traditional elites play a key role in disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration efforts in Africa, their attempts to reintegrate individuals who have committed violence may sometimes backfire. This is particularly true if the returnee is perceived as having willingly joined the insurgency or as being directly involved in acts of violence. To explain this dynamic, the study introduces the concept of a legitimacy paradox —the idea that traditional leaders may inadvertently reduce support for reintegration despite their respected status. These results question existing theories on community-based reintegration, highlighting that specific perceptions of justice and group loyalty condition the impact of traditional authority. The study contributes to the fields of local peacebuilding, elite influence, and the political psychology of reintegration, suggesting that elite legitimacy is not fixed but varies based on the moral context.