Coronavirus and the Electoral Dilemma

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In this blog post, Nic Cheeseman, author of several books on democracy in Africa, explains why postponing elections for COVID-19 may do more harm than good.   Read more

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How Efforts to Address Conflict and Coronavirus Align

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As the unprecedented humanitarian and economic impacts of COVID-19 begin to be felt across poor and conflict-affected states, there is a risk that policymakers will lose focus on longer-term priorities—like conflict prevention and economic development. The scale of emergency aid that will be needed is becoming more clear, and the initial projections are staggering: the coronavirus is likely to cause the first increase in global poverty since 1998, with the share of the world’s population…

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Will Lessons from Cholera in Haiti Be Applied to COVID-19?

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In recent weeks, the United Nations Department of Peace Operations announced a series of protocol changes to reduce the risk that peacekeepers will introduce COVID-19 into vulnerable countries. As the introduction of cholera to Haiti in 2010 by UN peacekeepers demonstrates, such preventative measures are critical. Yet there is cause for concern that the lessons from cholera in Haiti have not translated into adequate action to protect peacekeeping host communities from the preventable transmission of…

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Transitional Elections and Peacebuilding

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COVID-19 has delayed elections worldwide at an unprecedented rate, which will affect peacebuilding efforts. This policy brief argues that Germany should support national institutions in developing consultation mechanisms between electoral management bodies, public health authorities and other relevant actors and assist in crisis communication to create spaces for dialogue and to counter disinformation.   Read more

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The missing link in Africa’s COVID-19 response

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Health systems in sub-Saharan Africa cannot withstand a COVID-19 surge. But many African countries are proactively availing themselves of the guidance to enact non-medical protective measures: curfews, lockdowns and attempts at social distancing. The author of this article argues that, however, implementing this guidance in sub-Saharan Africa, as in other low-income settings, requires some adaptation, contextualization and reprioritization for an effective and acceptable response. Strong government leadership and national guidance are critical, but insufficient to…

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Covid-19 in Africa: The good news and the bad

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There is no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic will lead to enormous changes for countries in both Africa and the world. What might a post-Covid-19 Africa look like? In this article, the authors are starting to glimpse the shape of the continent to come — and it’s not all bad news (although there is plenty of that).   Read more

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The humanitarian response to COVID-19 in Somalia will increase capital flight and violent conflict

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As Somalia braces for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, debt relief will not help prepare it for the financial and political catastrophe ahead. This article brings together research on Somali politics, business and the politics of aid to argue a massive influx of humanitarian spending, as proposed, will exacerbate the country’s financial hardships and violence.   Read more

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COVID-19, Crises and Fragility

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Fragile contexts are beginning to be hitby the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of these countries are insufficiently prepared to cope with the spread of the disease and its consequences across the multiple dimensions of fragility. The most vulnerable have difficulty inaccessing hospitals and rely on poor public services. Confinement measures are hardly applicable and the mobilisation of security actors to enforce them creates further risks. The crisis highlights social inequalities and governance issues in many contexts….

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Ensuring Integrity in Governments’Response to COVID-19

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Governments around the world are designing and implementing rapid responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this effort, they are faced with three extraordinary challenges: (1) a public health emergency to contain the virus including identifying and treating infected populations; (2) widespread food and livelihood insecurity due to mandated stoppage of economic activity and the resulting disruption of food supplies; and (3) adoption of emergency powers to address the crises and maintain public safety. Corruption risks,…

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Preventing violent extremism during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

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While the world’s attention appropriately focuses on the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, the threat of violent extremism remains, and has in some circumstances been exacerbated during the crisis. The moment demands new and renewed attention so that the gains made to date do not face setbacks. As with so much reporting on and analysis of the pandemic, however, there is a shortage of data and evidence to support the headlines. The Global Community…

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