The pandemic has disrupted people’s lives and the smooth well-functioning of institutions across African countries, putting pressure both on security and sustainable development. The persistence of armed conflicts, ruthless attacks and intercommunal violence undermine peace and make it more difficult to tackle the consequences of the virus. The new realities shaped by the coronavirus have exacerbated the drivers of conflict, impacting respect for human rights and the rule of law and raising the levels of femicide.
The worsening security conditions in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, countries that are coping with Islamist insurgencies, are raising concerns. The tri-border area along the junction of those three countries has been severely hit by terrorist attacks which have forced thousands of people to flee. Almost 921,000 people in Burkina Faso were displaced last month, a 92% increase on the number in 2019. The displacement figures are growing as violence escalates, particularly in Sahel, home for around one third of internally displaced people. Around 240,000 people in Mali found themselves with the need to abandon these homes, 54% of them being women. The same fate was experienced by another 489,000 people in Niger, including Nigerian and Malian refugees.
A rise in extremist violence
The ongoing violence in the Central African Republic hinders the efforts of the government to manage the severe repercussions of the pandemic. Endless conflicts distract the attention of authorities away from combating the spread of coronavirus. The particular fragility of the situation could be exacerbated if the peace agreement signed in February 2019 is suspended. One of the signatory armed groups has already revealed its intentions to renounce the agreement despite the World Health Organization calling for an end to the African conflicts to concentrate on fighting the virus.
Under the circumstances of an increase in cruel and extremist violence, women and girls have become even more vulnerable. Women are the targets of continuous attacks, kidnappings and sexual and gender-based violence in countries such as the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin with the restrictive measures exacerbating the vulnerabilities that already existed among women.
The growing need for humanitarian aid
Violent attacks against civilians have left a million people dependent on humanitarian aid and protection. Around 24 million Sahelians need support, while in Nigeria an additional 7.7 million people will need emergency assistance in 2020. This fragile situation combined with an increasing absence of basic needs, a lack of proper healthcare and food insecurity could trigger unwelcome hostilities.
Despite the acknowledged achievements registered in dealing with inter-communal fighting, South Sudan has faced a recent spike in conflict. The political impasse and the containment measures have intensified the levels of violence, leading to hundreds of civilians being killed, women and children being abducted, properties being crushed to dust and more than 60,000 people being displaced. As a result, nearly 7.4 million people could need urgent humanitarian assistance but, while life-saving aid remains underfunded, the capacity to help those most in growing need decreases.
Peace operations, under threat
In view of the fact that several peace operations in African countries have been suspended due to COVID-19, managing the pandemic and its associated effects under the threat of intensifying conflicts requires considerable effort and political will. While some peace workers have withdrawn due to the virus, others remain actively involved in addressing its repercussions, offering support to civilians, distributing aid, communicating with people and supporting the efforts of health workers.
A holistic approach to those countries facing severe conflicts and escalating violence is needed in order to address the regrettable consequences, to end people’s suffering, to support marginalized groups, to strengthen democratic institutions and to boost sustainable development.
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