Friday 22 January 2010

Economic Drivers of Conflict and Cooperation in the Horn of Africa: A Regional Perspective and Overview by Roy Love

Summary points
Among the drivers of conflict in the Horn of Africa economic motivations
have been ubiquitous and pervasive in prompting and sustaining conflict. At
other times economic drivers have exhibited a potential for peaceful
cooperation. An understanding of their role and relationship with other forces
of change is essential.
Conflict in the Horn frequently has economic impacts across national
borders. This paper identifies four major zones of borderland insecurity in
which informal trade as much as formal relationships can both sustain
conflict and offer potential for post-conflict cooperation.
Underlying the various sub-regional conflicts are a number of recurrent
economic themes, including access to sea ports, livestock as a basis for
livelihoods, energy-related issues, the wider impact of localized conflict,
drought, land rights and remittances.
The establishment of permanent peace can only be built upon a common set
of values reflecting equity, tolerance and an acknowledgment of the potential
of traditional institutions in entrenching community cohesion. Only on such a
foundation will specific programmes be assured of harnessing those
economic drivers necessary for their success.

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