• Post conflict reconstruction

Post conflict reconstruction

This commentary brief considers the risks of the global financial crisis to fragile states, particularly in Africa. The author writes that it poses a serious threat to global peace and security and has the potential to create the conditions whereby policy disputes spiral into instability – violent or non-violent.

The article adds that many countries are also reeling from the challenges arising from high food and fuel prices that have exacerbated the already fragile nature of African states - and contributing to an increase in criminal activity which has been attributed to the high levels of poverty. The author points out that there are also fears that the drop in global commodity prices could see African countries that rely on their natural resources experiencing reduced ‘rents’ from those resources.

The brief also highlights:

• the convergence of the effects of the financial crisis, high food and fuel prices is likely to have a heavy impact on the fragile states that are least able to mitigate against them
  
• even without decreased aid flows - some donors have already drastically cut their overseas aid -African economies already face difficulties in the productive sectors
  
• African states will have to work extremely hard to raise revenue to meet aid shortfalls and address public concerns
  
• However, donors and international financial institutions need to focus on those fragile states in Africa to counter the effects of the crisis that has the potential to exacerbate state fragility in Africa.
  
• For this situation does not bode well for the global fight against poverty, and, at the same time, poses a serious threat to global peace and security.

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