ACCORD has adapted to the new COVID-19 reality, refocusing and restructuring a significant proportion of its staff and its effort on identifying & monitoring, tracking &, analysing, and preparing & responding to COVID-19 related social-unrest and violent conflict in Africa.
Through our networks across Africa, and supported by available online data, ACCORD identifies COVID-19 related incidents and trends that may provide early warning of rising tensions that could develop into social unrest and violent conflict. Once the incidents are captured in the dataset, ACCORD analyses the trends and publishes a weekly COVID-19 Africa Conflict and Resilience Monitor, in order to share the information and analysis with all stakeholders.
ACCORD then works with its in-country networks and other local, regional, continental and international partners and stakeholders, to encourage and support interventions aimed at mitigating, and where possible preventing, COVID-19 related social unrest and violent conflict.
We begin this month’s Monitor with a tribute to the life and legacy of Nicholas ‘Fink’ Haysom who recently passed away, written by Boitshoko Mokgatlhe. In this article, Haysom is remembered for his principled belief in human dignity and his commitment to finding peace in even the most complex of conflicts. He played a key role in peace processes in both Sudan and South Sudan, often quietly behind the scenes. His legacy will be of someone committed to building a more peaceful and just world.
This is followed by an article from J. ‘Kayode Fayemi who reflects on the current state of relations between the West and Africa during this time of changing global forces. He writes that now is the time for Africa to work together as a bloc and forge new systems and partnerships that are more beneficial to Africa and African growth. This requires the West to look at Africa as an equal partner and not just as place for exploitation and resource extraction.
Abraham Ename Minko writes about the increasing risk of hybrid threats to peace and security in Africa. These threats include cyber warfare and disinformation campaigns which influence the outcomes of political events. As such, regional bodies and the African Union (AU) need to adapt to these new challenges and ensure that their security frameworks can address the challenges of the changing security landscape.
Finally, Xanthe Gittings writes about the erosion of sovereignty in the current global climate. Following tragedies such as the Rwandan genocide, both Africa and the international community revised their understanding of sovereignty, by developing the Responsibility to Protect which would allow for intervention in the case of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. However, recent developments indicate that the humanitarian justification of violations of sovereignty have disappeared and have been replaced by violations in pursuit of national self-interest.
The passing of Nicholas ‘Fink’ Haysom invites reflection not only on a distinguished career, but on the quiet and enduring power of integrity in public service
A new geopolitical architecture is being assembled, and the question before us is whether Africa will help design it or merely inherit it
Regional security mechanisms in Africa play a crucial role in addressing conflicts, terrorism, and political instability, but their effectiveness is often constrained
If you are able to share information from your experiences on the ground with the crisis in Africa, we'd really like to hear from you. Please get in touch!
