Issue No: 5/2020

Conflict & Resilience Monitor – 20 May 2020

The Conflict and Resilience Monitor offers monthly blog-size commentary and analysis on the latest conflict-related trends in Africa.

LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images
LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images

In this week’s Monitor Jean-Claude Kassi Brou (President of the ECOWAS Commission) and Mohamed Ibn Chambas (Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel) reflect on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the West African and Sahel regions and the way that the countries have  shown solidarity in their response.  

Professor Ramesh Thakur argues that panic-driven lockdown strategies could kill more people in Africa than COVID-19 itself. Taking into account the low infection rates, living conditions and economic realities, he claims that the test, isolate, treat and trace approachseems to be a more appropriate policy response for Africa.

Staying with the lockdown theme we share a report from the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) that has identified seven lockdown exit strategies. In Africa, at least 42 countries have imposed partial or full COVID-19 related lockdowns. These restrictions pose considerable economic costs that, in turn, threaten lives, put livelihoods at risk and exacerbate poverty. It is thus important that there are sound governance strategies put in place to manage the COVID-19 response. We also look at how the continuation of arrests related to violations of lockdown measures are expected to increase tensions between states and citizens.

Professor Carlos Lopes highlights that COVID-19 provides Africa with an opportunity to re-think the role of the state in economic policy, and to contemplate a different set of rules and norms. He argues that our COVID-19 policies should recognize public services as public goods that need to be properly funded, and that they should be recognized as investments in social capital, not liabilities.

Lastly, Professor Matthias Basedau and Mora Deitch introduce a model that outlines some of the main variables that will determine which conflict scenarios are likely to materialise as a result of COVID-19. They find that while the pandemic is a unique shock, large-scale organized violence will only occur indirectly – through economic and political conditions.

Chief Editor: Conflict & Resilience Monitor​
Managing Editor: Conflict & Resilience Monitor
ACCORD COVID-19 Infographic
Figure 1. A Model of Potential Escalation to “Corona Conflicts” in Africa. Source: German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA)
COVID-19, Political Unrest or Violence

Pandemic fallout: Will the coronavirus lead to more violent conflict in Africa?

ACCORD COVID-19 Infographic
Africa’s infection trajectory versus comparators, as at 5 May 2020. Based on data from Johns Hopkins University and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 May 2020
COVID-19, Livelihood Insecurity & Economic Impact

The impact of lockdowns on African countries

SUMY SADURNI/AFP via Getty Images
Stella Nyanzi (C), a prominent Ugandan activist and government critic, is arrested by police officers as she organised a protest for more food distribution by the government to people who has been financially struggling by the nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Kampala, on May 18, 2020. (Photo by SUMY SADURNI / AFP) (Photo by SUMY SADURNI/AFP via Getty Images)
COVID-19, Stigmatisation and Discrimination

Coronavirus response in West Africa and the Sahel: Human rights must not be forgotten

ACCORD COVID-19 Infographic
Source: Ramesh Thakur with data drawn from Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center
COVID-19, Trust between Citizens & Institutions

Africa and the pandemic panic: Facts not fear

EMMANUEL CROSET/AFP via Getty Images
EMMANUEL CROSET/AFP via Getty Images
COVID-19, Livelihood Insecurity & Economic Impact

COVID-19 provides Africa with an opportunity to rethink the role of the state in economic policy

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