At the recent Contentious Narratives conference at GW's Elliot School of International Affairs, Professor Laura Roselle discussed her conception of 'strategic narratives' - the use of communicative tools by political actors to shape their roles in a rapidly changing world order.

The presence of new ICT technologies in developing nations is a similar phenomenon, in terms of its ability to present new narrative possibilites for both leaders and sub-groups within a state. In conflict-fragile states such as South Sudan, ethnic rivalries have been exacerbated by ICT enhancing group solidarity and amplfying perceived aggression or hostility from other groups - narrative arcs that can lead to bloodshed.

These same strategic narratives can also be used to reconcile divided societies. In Kenya, there have been successful cases of inter-ethnic cooperation following periods of violence, through ICT. Rather than encouraging division, these tools were used to crowdsource inter-group policing under the banner of a united Kenya.

The use of a strategic narrative can both hinder and encourage violence in these conflict-fragile states. Roselle's conception of these narrative arcs, and how they can come to define the consequences of political change, is vital to consider when examining the effects of ICT in the developing world.