Events
Assessing Africa’s responses to COVID-19: challenges and prospects
Webinar (By invitation)
The Policy Center for the New South is hosting a joint webinar in partnership with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) under the theme “Assessing Africa’s responses to COVID-19: challenges and prospects”.
The COVID-19 pandemic, while primarily a public health matter, has brought about a number of concerns related to its economic, social and political impact. The deadly virus is increasingly imposing itself as a threat to international peace and security, and the stability of countries, especially those experiencing ongoing conflict and other crises.
While it is already struggling to silence the guns, improve stability and good governance and strengthen its medical systems, Africa has not been spared from the catastrophic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. In fact, the most unstable and vulnerable parts of the continent risk seeing an exacerbation of their existing challenges, which might in turn imperil responses to COVID-19 in these zones. Although the United Nations has called for a global cease-fire, violent conflict and extremism continue unabated, worsening the humanitarian situation in certain areas of the continent. This has placed some of Africa’s vulnerable people such as refugees and internally displaced persons as well as those depending on food programs in greater danger.
Simultaneously, several countries have imposed stringent restrictions on the movement of people, placing millions of people under lockdowns and curfews, and taking away their ability to earn a vital daily living. This has been done, in many cases, without providing support to them, hence creating an untenable situation and causing sporadic protests in some countries.
African countries have each, according to their national realities and capacities, taken a variety of measures to combat COVID-19, and mitigate its socio-economic and political impact. A continental response has emerged, spearheaded by the African Union and its Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Some regional economic communities are also attempting to coordinate their efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
This webinar therefore aims to assess Africa’s responses to COVID-19 thus far at national, regional and continental levels. Discussions will look into the continent’s responses as well as the opportunities that may arise for better prospects towards African peace and stability as well as economic integration and prosperity.




