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Development in Africa: Experiences in 3 Countries Emerging from Conflict

Development in Africa: Experiences in 3 Countries Emerging from Conflict. Presentation by Daniel Cohn Kwantlen University College, Richmond, BC January 30, 2008. Good news out of Africa….

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Development in Africa: Experiences in 3 Countries Emerging from Conflict

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  1. Development in Africa: Experiences in 3 Countries Emerging from Conflict Presentation by Daniel Cohn Kwantlen University College, Richmond, BC January 30, 2008

  2. Good news out of Africa… • Many countries are experiencing economic growth fast and sustained enough “to put a dent on the region's high poverty rate and attract global investment” (World Bank) • Increasing number of countries experiencing peaceful, democratic transitions of power

  3. …for some • Other countries are falling behind – mainly due to armed conflict • From 1990-2005, 23 countries involved in conflict, at a cost of $18 billion/year • The total of nearly $300 billion is equal to the amount of money received in aid during the same period

  4. Development during & after conflict • The nature of armed conflict • Three (post-)conflict situations • Rwanda • Democratic Republic of Congo • Côte d’Ivoire • The aims of post-conflict development • Development in practice – some examples

  5. The nature of armed conflict in Africa • Principally intra-state (rather than inter-state) • Affects neighboring countries • Africa hosts 3 million of the world’s 14 million refugees • Spreads instability – Rwanda, Liberia… • Arguably the greatest obstacle to development • 12 million of 24.5 million conflict-related IDPs are in Africa • Lost economic growth

  6. Rwanda • DR Congo • Côte d’Ivoire

  7. Rwanda • The most densely populated country in Africa, with nearly 3% growth rate • 90% of population reliant on subsistence agriculture • Colonial divisions • Organized killing, refugee diaspora • Resistance to peace deal, return of diaspora by force

  8. Rwanda – genocide & aftermath • 1994 genocide • 800,000 Tutsis & moderate Hutus killed • Aftermath • 2 million Hutu refugees into Congo, Burundi, Tanzania • Wars in Congo (1996-97, 1998-2003) • Devastation: loss of skilled personnel, infrastructure, HIV/AIDS • Seeking justice: Gacaca, ICTR • Stable governance & dynamic growth

  9. DR Congo • 3rd largest country in Africa • Favored during Cold War • Mineral-rich • Negligible infrastructure • Elections in 2006

  10. DR Congo – a “forgotten” crisis • “Africa’s World War” lasted from 1998-2003 • Ongoing conflict and abuses in the east • 1.5 million+ IDPs • Pervasive sexual violence • Malnutrition and preventable disease • 5.4 million dead from 1998-present • Up to 45,000 people continuing to die every month

  11. Côte d’Ivoire • A success story for 30 years • Politically stable • West Africa’s economic powerhouse • ¼ of population is foreign-born (invited workers)

  12. Côte d’Ivoire – division & displacement • Civil war (2002-2007) • Wealth gap between south and north • “Ivoirité” and identity documents • A fragile peace • North under New Forces control, south under government • Demobilization process is uncertain • FN leader joined the government as PM • Central administration redeploying • 750,000 IDPs • Elections slated for 2008

  13. A country divided

  14. Resource-stripping: another impact of conflict

  15. A common sight: the checkpoint

  16. The goal: durable solutions • When disagreements are no longer solved through violence, basic human rights are respected, governance is settled and broadly accountable, and communities are relatively self reliant

  17. The aims of assistance • Humanitarian and development assistance can contribute to durable solutions by focusing on: • Saving lives • Strengthening institutions • Building social cohesion

  18. Tailoring responses: key principles • Protect and promote rights • Helping people realize their rights as protected by law • Participation • Real involvement of communities in all aspects of programs – sharing in discussion and decision making

  19. Key principles (cont’d) • Capacity building • Empowering individuals, communities and organizations to define and act on their humanitarian and development priorities, while giving them the tools to do so themselves into the future • Partnership • Deliberate alliance with actors similarly motivated to help people survive, recover from and rebuild after conflict and displacement

  20. Phases of work • Acute emergency • Protracted emergency • Return and reintegration • Reconstruction

  21. Program areas • Social • Health, psychosocial, water & sanitation, shelter & infrastructure, education, child protection, gender-based violence • Economic • Livelihoods & economic development • Governance & rights • Protection, community development, rule of law, civil society, good governance

  22. Promoting maternal health

  23. Empowering women

  24. The broader picture • Humanitarian crises result from political, social and military problems • Humanitarian assistance cannot solve crises alone • Advocacy is a necessary complement – and spur – to action

  25. What you can do • Raise awareness • Raise funds • Write a letter • Call for divestment (or: responsible investment) • Start an organization • Lobby the government • From Cheadle and Prendergast, Not on Our Watch (2007)

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