Forced Displacement and Diaspora Cooperation among Cypriot Maronites and Bosnian Serbs

This chapter focuses on the interplay between diaspora mobilisation and return home at the aftermath of forced displacement. It investigates the conditions under which diaspora mobilisation can contribute to voluntary peaceful return, especially after the passage of time. Drawing on the experiences of Bosnian Serbs and Cypriot Maronite returnees since the 1993-95 and 1974 wars respectively, it examines two counter-intuitive attempts of partial reversal of forced displacement. This chapter also sheds light on the local and global networks of cooperation generated by diasporas in exile to advocate and sustain return home, focusing specifically at the importance of trust, exchange and social capital as manifested in these groups. While recognizing the limitations of diaspora politics in Bosnia and Cyprus, the chapter demonstrates that community effort resolves coordination and commitment problems, thereby facilitating voluntary peaceful return even under conditions of inter-communal fear, mistrust and economic insecurity.