Issue No: 43/2021

COVID-19 Conflict & Resilience Monitor – 10 December 2021

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

In the monitor this week, we begin with an article by Andrew E. Yaw Tchie, Senior Research Fellow at NUPI, about the recent political turmoil in Sudan. The article tackles the question of why the civilian-military transition in Sudan has been so troubled and what needs to be done in order to restore stability in the country.

This is followed by an article by Asia Jane Leigh, a researcher at the Global Committee for the Rule of Law, focussing on China’s increased security role in the Sahel. The article unpacks China’s interests in the Sahel and the reasons why we are witnessing a gradual increase of China’s military presence in the region.

Finally, we have a piece written by ACCORD’s Savannah Wilmot, Adam Randera and Caitlin Broeders, which reflects on the outcomes of the intergenerational dialogues that have taken place this year, the challenges to youth participation and the role that young people can play in building peace and security in Africa.

Dr. Cedric de Coning

Chief Editor: Conflict & Resilience Monitor

Mr. Senzwesihle Ngubane

Managing Editor: Conflict & Resilience Monitor

Katharine Bebington

Assistant Editor: Conflict & Resilience Monitor

ACCORD COVID-19 Conflict & Resilience Monitor

Photo: AFP via Getty Images

COVID-19, Political Unrest or Violence

Navigating Sudan’s quest for democratic transition

Andrew E. Yaw Tchie

On 25 October 2021, Sudan succumbed to yet another coup leading to the dissolving of parliament and the declaration of a state of emergency. The coup dismissed the African Union’s mediated agreement of August 2019 – the joint civilian-military council designed to steer the country to democratic elections in 2023. The move was viewed as a way for the military to circumvent handing over the chairmanship of the Sovereign Council (SC) to a civilian government on 17 November.

Photo: UNMISS/Eric Kanalstein

COVID-19, Cross-border / Inter-State tensions

The Dragon’s Game in the Sahel

Asia Jane Leigh

On Sunday 29 October, Dakar hosted the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the China-Africa forum, the triennial high-level summit between Beijing’s delegates and state representatives from 53 African countries. Defence and security issues were crucial topics of this year’s discussion. Indeed, African states have vocally asked for more proactive involvement from Beijing, most evidently with Senegal’s Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall appealing to China for support in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and general instability in the Sahel.

Photo: UN Women Tanzania/Deepika Nath

COVID-19, Trust between Citizens & Institutions

Reflecting on 6 years of Youth, Peace and Security

Savannah Wilmot

Adam Randera

Caitlin Broeders

Young people are not just leaders for tomorrow, but are also leaders for today. This sentiment is echoed in the UN Security Council Resolution 2250, where there is the recognition that “young people play an important and positive role in the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security”.

Do you have information to share?

Does any of this information look incorrect to you, or do you have anything to share from your experience on the ground in an African country?

If so, please complete our contact form – we would love to hear from you!

ACCORD recognizes its longstanding partnerships with the European Union, and the Governments of Canada, Finland, Ireland, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, UK, and USA.

TRANSLATE THIS PAGE