Spotlight: What drives fragility in Africa?

ISS helps governments and business to better understand conflict and fragility, and find interventions that work.

Published on 04 May 2017 in Impact

‘Violence is the most serious manifestation of fragility in Africa.’

This is the key message that Anton du Plessis, Executive Director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) shared today as moderator of a plenary session on fragile states at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa from 3-5 May in Durban, South Africa.

‘Our research shows that poverty and lack of inclusive growth, poor governance and Africa’s youthful population are three key drivers of conflict and fragility in Africa,’ says du Plessis, who is a WEF Young Global Leader and was a member of the WEF’s Global Agenda Council on Fragility, Violence and Conflict.

‘When you add terrorism, violent extremism, natural resource exploitation and organised crime as drivers and consequences of fragility to the mix, the situation looks even worse – but nevertheless, there is hope.’

The ISS has extensive experience in understanding Africa’s complex security challenges and how they can be solved. ISS analysts engage with governments, the business sector and investors to discuss practical responses to conflict and fragility. Forums such as the WEF conference provide an ideal opportunity to shape global and continental security debates and policies.

ISS has extensive experience in understanding Africa’s complex security challenges

‘By discussing and identifying entry points, we can help the private sector understand the role it has played in driving state fragility in Africa. We need this knowledge if the private sector is to be part of the solution, especially in the extractive sector,’ says du Plessis.

According to the 2016 Fragile States Index, Africa’s most fragile states include the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Somalia and South Sudan. It is vital for regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society to discuss priorities that will help Africa overcome state fragility and achieve inclusive growth.

For more information, contact:

Anton du Plessis, ISS: +27 787813619, [email protected]