The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the women, peace and security agenda in Africa
Women-led organisations that are dealing with peace, security and development are playing a key role in developing policies, strategies and guidelines for gender-responsive actions to prevent and combat COVID-19, and in post-COVID-19 recovery.
Country profile: The impact of COVID-19 on on citizens, state and society relations in Kenya
Kenya, like many countries around the world, is undergoing huge political and societal changes as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The immediate response to this crisis in Kenya was to close down educational and religious institutions and other social places to avoid large gatherings of people, while most employers (where possible) have resorted to their employees working remotely. This article reflects on the conflict and resilience-related incidents and trends emerging out of Kenya due to COVID-19-related measures, by specifically highlighting issues of livelihoods, the economic impact of COVID-19 on gender-based violence, human rights and social unrest.
Country profile: The impact of COVID-19 on stability and the peace process in South Sudan
The spread of COVID-19 in South Sudan has had a negative impact on the implementation of the peace process and has placed further stress on an already dire humanitarian situation.
COVID-19: An opportunity to reflect on approaches to and the conducting of elections in Africa
The COVID-19 measures have placed a responsibility on all of us to ensure that the strides that various African countries had made to consolidate their democracies by holding regular, transparent, and free elections are not reversed.
The impact of the insurgency in Cabo Delgado on Mozambique’s response to COVID-19
In March 2020, Mozambique registered its first case of COVID-19. Since then, the number of infections has been increasing and is spreading continuously, reaching all provinces in the country. The effect of COVID-19 in Mozambique is most worrying in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where in addition to being the province with the highest number of infections in the country, is where the population and government institutions are subject to violent armed attacks by terrorists.
Trade under COVID-19 restrictions in Eastern and Southern Africa
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development predicted a fall of 27% in global trade in the second quarter of 2020 as a result of the measures imposed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Whilst the exact impact COVID-19 will have on specific African countries is not yet known, it is already clear that some countries’ trade will be significantly affected, among others due to the disruption of cross-border cargo movement.
Africa’s COVID-19 resilience must not lead to complacency
Despite public health constraints, widespread infectious disease and poor nutrition, COVID-19’s toll on Africa has so far been less than initially feared. The economic impact of COVID-19 may be longer lasting than the pandemic itself. But the situation changes daily and significant uncertainties remain. The comparatively low rates of coronavirus infections and deaths in Africa are in stark contrast to the high rates of infection and death elsewhere in the world, for reasons that remain unclear.
Despite public health constraints, widespread infectious disease and poor nutrition, COVID-19’s toll on Africa has so far been less than initially feared. The economic impact of COVID-19 may be longer lasting than the pandemic itself. But the situation changes daily and significant uncertainties remain. The comparatively low rates of coronavirus infections and deaths in Africa are in stark contrast to the high rates of infection and death elsewhere in the world, for reasons that remain unclear.
African countries ease lockdowns to address economic and livelihood insecurities
Some African countries have started to eased their lockdown measures, in spite of rising infections in some cases, to address the severe economic losses and livelihood vulnerabilities that have come about as a result of containing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Women’s leadership during COVID-19
Today, our world is beset with increases in conflicts, the growing threat of violent extremism and a young population that is increasingly less hopeful about living in peace. We simply cannot continue this way. It is time to change. Silencing the guns requires a multitude of actors and commitments, including the involvement of women through the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325, which remains a key ingredient for peace.
Africa’s debt burden and the COVID-19 economic crisis
The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has highlighted that the continental body will focus on the economic, humanitarian and health dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this formula, the problem of Africa’s external debt is recognised as an important component of the economic dimension of the COVID-19 crisis.