Theme: Trust between Citizens & Institutions

Conflict-sensitive approaches to developing national strategies for addressing COVID-19 in Ghana – including strategic communication, situating preventive and response measures within the rule of law, broad-based stakeholder consultations and reliance on evidence-based information for decision-making – were critical to minimising the conflict multiplier potential of the COVID-19 prevention and response efforts.

Public trust in governance and institutions has emerged as an important element that determines the resilience of a society to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. This helps to explain why some governments have been able to maintain onerous lockdowns effectively and why others with relatively strong economies and health systems are struggling to contain the spread of the virus.

In spite of all the intentions and efforts, people are being left behind, and the children of the global poor are receiving low-quality education, if any at all. The novel nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented many governments with new challenges for which they are ill-prepared in all sectors, including education. As countries join hands to flatten the curve – what can citizens do to lessen the impacts of the virus on human and social life? Are the efforts and alternatives fostered going to be inclusive and, indeed, leave no one behind?

Mozambique’s definitive third peace agreement, known as the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement, was signed by the president of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, and the leader of the Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (Renamo), Ossufo Momade, on 6 August 2019. Although off to a slow start, there has recently been noticeable progress around the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) process of Renamo forces. However, these advances in the DDR process in Mozambique must be considered within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 seems to have spread at a slower pace in Africa than in many other parts of the world. In Europe, where the virus peaked in February and March in countries like Italy and Spain, the spread of the virus seems to be mostly under control for the moment (with the exception of Poland and Sweden), but all indications are pointing to the fact that they are bracing for a second wave of infections. Similarly, in Asia, countries such as China – where the virus was thought to be under control, are now experiencing a second wave. In other regions of the world – such as Brazil, India, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States (US) – the rate of infections is still increasing.

The breakout of the coronavirus (COVID-19) set in motion one of the most devastating global crises of our time. While COVID-19 started as a health crisis, the pandemic quickly morphed into a society-wide strategic, security and social economic crisis of monumental proportions.

The emergence and spread of COVID-19 in Cameroon have added additional pressure and strain on a civilian population already faced with worsening internal conflict and a man-made humanitarian disaster.

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.

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.

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.