2023-06-29 10:25:35
Armed conflicts and insecurity can lead to an economic contraction of up to 20% in the Sahel region, according to analyzes by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which points out that in sub-Saharan Africa, 30% of countries are considered to be affected by a conflict.
Julien COSTA
“These trends generally delay or hinder crucial investments in transport, power and digital connectivity that regional integration efforts could trigger, such as through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (Afcfa),” wrote Franck Bousquet, deputy director of the IMF’s Institute for Capacity Development. According to this expert on vulnerable economies, the Sudanese war that broke out in April is a stark reminder of the deep fallout from violent conflict in today’s integrated global economy. “Beyond the suffering of the Sudanese people, widespread conflict would further destabilize the region. Sudan’s neighbors such as the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Libya and South Sudan are already facing conflict, civil unrest and food insecurity,” he hinted. . Chad now has more than 680,000 refugees and more than 380,000 internally displaced people, according to the UN, which reports that refugees from Sudan are being moved between different camps in Chad. UNHCR warns that more than a million Sudanese could flee their country and seek refuge elsewhere if the conflict continues. Franck Bousquet, who is also the IMF’s coordinator for engagement with fragile and conflict-affected states, insists that the impacts of conflict on people and economies are absolutely detrimental.
solemn appeal
It is thus that he launches a solemn appeal to humanity to provide security, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to put an end to these conflicting tendencies. “The international community must scale up its aid and develop financing solutions that support peace and stability as global public goods – institutions, mechanisms and results that benefit more than one group of countries and extend to current and future generations,” he suggests. He adds: “An influx of refugees can mean not only short-term fiscal pressure, but also long-term effects on an economy. If institutional capacity for policy coordination is ineffective, labor market misallocations persist and nations cannot reap the benefits that newcomers can bring.”
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juin 29, 2023
#Conflict #Insecurity #Africa #Harmful #Consequences #Economy