There have been numerous recent analyses of the different manifestations of ‘resistance’ and ‘reticence’ that continue to be critical in Guinea. The socio-historical context that has contributed to deep-rooted mistrust of the State and authority (a sense of ‘abandonment’ [the West has only returned to intervene in Guinea to ‘count cases’ and international actors will again abandon the country when cases are ‘acceptably low’]; heavy-handed or repressive interventions; the perception that elites treat people as if they are disposable and unworthy etc.) is well recognised. Yet, as late as June 2015, the Ebola response continues to take insufficient account of this context in the design and implementation of its interventions.

The following key considerations have been collated from the suggestions and insights provided by over twenty-five anthropologists and social-behavioural scientists (based in West Africa and internationally) who answered an on-line call to provide guidance and operational recommendations in relation to on-going community ‘resistance’ in Guinea.

The French version of the report is available here.

Juliet Bedford / 2015