Whether they are a Phoenix Fleet operating in clandestine systems across the galaxy or a mass of battle-hardened soldiers protecting Rebellion VIPs, armed groups that form their own governments can shape the way a conflict is conducted. Their ability to deliver public goods and services can mean the difference between a conflict that kills thousands and one that kills millions.
Rebel forces, however, must contend with a host of obstacles that can hamper their ability to create and sustain governance systems. These include domestic pressures from a civilian population that may have been accustomed to government services prior to the war; competing interests among rebel factions; and external challenges such as securing funding, military assistance or aid supplies.
In addition, the treatment of rebels within international society can also have profound implications for their governance capacity. For instance, a government that treats a group as a legitimate partner in the conflict can provide vital support to its military and civilian administration; while a government that ignores a group risks a loss of legitimacy and the potential for international sanctions or military intervention.
Despite these challenges, some rebels have successfully established their own governments. For example, the National Liberation Front of Algeria waged a determined and bloody campaign against French colonial rule, resulting in hard-won independence for the nation at a staggering cost. The FLN’s tactics and sacrifices sparked a wave of anti-colonial movements in Africa.