The cost of war in South Sudan

In cash terms, how much will war cost South Sudan, its neighbors and the wider international community?

Date: 2015-05-18

Time: 14:30 to 15:30

Venue: Economic Commission for Africa , UN Conference Centre , Large Briefing Room , Addis Ababa

This closed seminar is co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies and Africa Humanitarian Action.

The crisis in South Sudan that erupted on 15 December 2013 has devastated the lives of most South Sudanese. The impact of the subsequent brutal conflict has been well documented: thousands killed, millions displaced and almost a third of the population facing severe food insecurity. Despite the best efforts to restore peace, the conflict persists and has left wounds that will take decades to heal. The impasse in resolving the conflict makes for an extremely fragile situation.

But, what about the financial cost?

What of the collapse of oil revenues and trade and remittances, the humanitarian and peacekeeping costs? In cash terms, how much will it cost South Sudan, its neighbors and the wider international community if this conflict is allowed to fester and spread? How will all key players address the risk of South Sudan becoming a failed state, or worse, the epicenter of a full-blown regional conflict?

To address these questions, the seminar will have an expert panel and will draw in key actors from within the AU, AU PSC, IGAD, ECA, UN and high level economists to discuss a research report conducted by Frontier Economics in collaboration with the Centre for Peace and Development (Juba University) and the Centre for Conflict Resolution from Uganda.

The report puts a price tag on five conflict scenarios and poses recommendations – and finds that the costs are likely to increase at an accelerating rate the longer the conflict persists. It concludes that early action is required.

The event builds on similar launches held in Addis Ababa in January 2015 and a recent public lecture in Juba.

The seminar is closed and by invitation only. Chatham House rules will apply. After the event a media briefing will be held with representatives from the panel.

Chair: Dr Sunday Okello Angoma, Institute for Peace and Security Studies, University of Addis Ababa 

Speakers:

• Opening keynote speaker: Dr Abdulla Hamdok, Deputy Executive Secretary, UN ECA
• Dr Luka Biong Deng, Director, Centre for Peace and Development Studies, University of Juba
• Edmund Yakani, Executive Director, Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, South Sudan