African conflicts cost $300 billion
Conflict in Africa over last 15 years has cost continent more than $300 billion, report reveals
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Thursday, 11, Oct 2007 11:36
Conflict in Africa over the last 15 years has cost the continent more than $300 billion (£147 billion), a new report has said.
According to Oxfam, the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) and Saferworld, this figure is equivalent to the amount of international aid given to Africa over the same period.
Today's report, Africa's Missing Billions, is the first time that the economic impact of wars, civil conflicts and insurgency has been assessed.
Analysts claim that armed conflict cuts Africa's economy by 15 per cent a year, equivalent to about $18 billion (£8.8 billion).
"Armed violence is one of the greatest threats to development in Africa," said Irungu Houghton, Oxfam's African policy advisor.
"The costs are shocking. Our figures are almost certainly an underestimate but they show conflicts are costing African economies an average of $18 billion (£8.8 billion) a year. This money could solve the HIV/AIDS crisis, prevent TB and malaria, or provide clean water, sanitation and education."
The report's authors also claim that the vast majority (95 per cent) of Kalashnikov rifles – the most commonly-used weapon in African conflicts – are being produced outside the continent.
"The government whose factory produces the rifle is as responsible as the government who permits its ships to transport them," warned Joseph Dube, IANSA's Africa coordinator.
"Similarly the states that unload the cargo must monitor whose hands these weapons end up in. Without this regulation, the cost and suffering borne by Africans will continue to be immense."