Co-Perpetrators of Violence : Examining State and Pro- Government Militia Involvement in Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

This thesis examines why some governments delegate conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) to pro-government militias (PGMs), while others co-perpetrate it alongside them. Drawing on principal-agent theory and scholarship on ethnic ties, it argues that a higher degree of ethnic ties between governments and PGMs fosters trust, enabling the delegation of CRSV. Conversely, lower degrees of ethnic ties exacerbate principal-agent problems, making co-perpetration more likely. The study applies a structured, focused comparison of the Janjaweed in Sudan (2003–2014) and the Liyu Police in Ethiopia (2007–2018). Findings suggest that while ethnic ties shape trust and influence the form of CRSV perpetration, they are neither sufficient nor deterministic. This thesis contributes to understanding state–militia collaboration in CRSV, highlighting the need for nuanced analyses of trust, identity, and violence in conflict.