A UN report shows that less lives are lost in African conflicts

The conflicts across the African continent continue to constitute a massive roadblock towards the development of a region largely blessed with natural and human resources. Between 2015 and 2022, Africa witnessed a significant increase in armed conflicts signaling a slow progress of peace programs. However, there has been a remarkable decline in conflict-related fatalities.

The 2024 Africa Sustainable Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), indicated that between 2015 and 2022, armed conflicts in Africa grew by 37% from 75 to 98, accounting for about 53.8 percent of the 182 worldwide conflicts. However, conflict-related fatalities decreased significantly.

"Africa stands out with relatively high numbers of conflicts compared to other regions over the past two decades. In 2022, Africa's armed conflicts (98) constituted about 53.8 percent of global conflicts (182). Peace and security remain part of Africa's priorities," the report reads

"Notwithstanding the high number of conflicts, the continent has seen a fall in the number of conflict-related deaths. Agenda 2063's First TenYear Implementation Plan set a target of having 101 conflict-related deaths per 100,000 by 2030. Substantial progress was achieved as the figure dropped drastically from 202 in 2013 to 27.93 by 2023," it added.

According to the report, this progress is consistent with the largely calmer insecurity situation witnessed across the continent in recent years, with a few outliers in specific locations.

Furthermore, various countries have implemented special measures to ensure peace and stability. For example, the Kenyan government formed peace committees at both the county and cross-border levels to promote peace and security efforts.

In addition, the Nyumba Kumi project encourages household-level community policing to reduce crime and improve peace and security.

Civilian casualties

It is important to note that in 2022, Africa had considerable conflict-related fatalities, highlighting the human cost of ongoing wars. Also, the report showed that there was an actual increase in the number of civilian related casualties, in the period under review.

"A minimum of 16,988 civilians lost their lives, with women accounting for one in every five victims. The escalation in the use of heavy weaponry and explosive ordnance, including indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, climbed from 13 percent in 2021 to 39 percent in 2022, indicating a notable shift in conflict dynamics," the report states.

"Central, East, West, Southern Africa and Europe together represented 90 percent of these fatalities, with 4 out of 10 deaths occurring specifically in Ukraine. While Africa excluding North Africa witnessed a 23 percent rise in conflict related casualties, other regions also experienced an increase in deadly incidents targeting civilians."

The report by the UNDP is a joint annual publication of the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Development Programme-Regional Bureau for Africa (UNDP-RBA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).