Yannick Deepen / André Bank / Julia Grauvogel / Sabine Kurtenbach

COVID-19 and Violent Actors in the Global South: An Inter- and Cross-Regional Comparison

Video | 2023


  • Video COVID-19 and Violent Actors in the Global South: An Inter- and Cross-Regional Comparison
    © 2023 GIGA/heimlichstillundleise

    Abstract

    This trend analysis examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and non-state violent actors in the Global South. We provide an ACLED-based interregional mapping of trends in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. Cross-regional case comparisons shed further light on the similarities and differences of countries characterised by long-term armed conflict (Colombia, Iraq, Nigeria) or having transitioned from authoritarianism but facing inequality and political exclusion (Chile, Tunisia, South Africa). We identify a temporal variation: Initially, state armed actors’ new responsibilities to implement COVID-19–related control measures led to an increase in violence against civilians, but over time there was a decrease. We also find that COVID-19 had an early demobilising effect vis-à-vis protest and mob violence, a consequence of lockdowns and mobility restrictions. Yet, protest has quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels in many countries, underlining continued – sometimes aggravated –grievances. Moreover, different violent actors’ responses to the pandemic were decisively shaped by their respective conflict histories.

    Research Programmes

    Producer

    Bertram Richter

    Host

    So Young Chang

    Publisher

    German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)

    Yannick Deepen

    Yannick Deepen

    Former GIGA Team member





    GIGA Working Papers | 09/2021

    One Year After: Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Increased Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa?

    In the spring of 2020, observers and practitioners warned that COVID-19 would increase violence in sub-Saharan Africa through an economic shock that would lead to distributional conflict and state repression – and violence did indeed increase in 2020. An analysis by Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau and Mora Deitch.

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