A Policy Framework for Transiting from Post-conflict Recovery to Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper argues that the search for a policy framework for transiting from post-conflict recovery to sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa could be anchored in the broad concept of development as a process of expanding the freedoms that people enjoy. Under such concept the overarching objective of development in developing countries is the reduction of poverty over a reasonable time horizon. Though highly restrictive, the standard money metric approach to the measurement of poverty could provide the required policy framework. Growth enhancing policies (that increase per capita consumption expenditure), as well as inequality reducing policies (that enhance the opportunities for individuals to participate in the development process) recommend themselves as the relevant policies in post-conflict situations. Given recent experience with economic policy reforms post-conflict countries desiring to transit to sustainable development need to define what constitutes “good policy” bench marks in their respective circumstances rather than adopting cross-country based benchmarks.