Fragile State of Africa, Non-state Actors and COVID 19: Annual Assessment

Abstract

With the end of year 2020, the international policy pundits have taken the annual assessment of post Covid-19 scenario across the globe. This paper aims at assessment of the Fragile state of Africa, which has been facing a double-edged sword. Africa has witnessed maximum attacks by the two groups affiliated to ISIS and Al Qaeda as well as significant number of Covid cases. The two most significant terror groups Boko Haram and Al Shabab have taken advantage of the pandemic to challenge the state authorities. Aim of this paper is to review the year 2020 and what has been its impact on the citizens of Africa, it also discusses the impact of natural calamity like locust attack which effects the food supply and demand cycle including its impact on food and nutrition. Due to high impact on the food and grains the grievances amongst the people have raised and this has been used as an opportunity by the non-state actors to attract more and more volunteers to join the group. Therefore, this paper will observe how the religiously inclined terror groups have argued the pandemic and asked its members to use the opportunity to the fullest and reach out to more and more people, carry out more and more attacks and kill as many infidels as possible. Due to such a rapid action and eventful period, it becomes vital to capture the highlights of the year and assess in order to prepare for next such natural disaster. The paper especially focuses on the Sahel Region of Africa.