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Conflicts 'cost more than HIV'
11/10/2007 13:45 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Conflict costs Africa each year more than would be required to solve the continent's HIV/Aids crisis, a study by three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) calling for stricter controls on global arms sales showed on Thursday.
The Africa's Missing Billions study, carried out by Oxfam International, the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) and British NGO Saferworld, estimated at nearly $300bn the cost to Africa of conflict between 1990 and 2005.
Conflicts in 23 countries was found to have cost the continent around as much as Africa had received in international aid over the same period.
Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf wrote: "In my own country conflict has led to the squandering of rich mineral, agricultural and human resources that should have benefited Liberia and its people."
'Focus more on HIV/Aids'
The money lost to conflict each year could be spent on resolving a major development crisis, such as the HIV/Aids pandemic, the report found.
Irungu Houghton, Oxfam's African policy advisor, said: "Armed violence is one of the greatest threats to development in Africa.
"Our figures are almost certainly an under-estimate, but they show conflicts are costing African economies an average of $18bn a year."
Houghton said: "This money lost to conflict could solve the HIV/Aids crisis, prevent TB and malaria, or provide clean water, sanitation and education."
Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 63% of all HIV infection cases worldwide, or 24.7 million people. Oxfam had estimated the cost of reversing the spread of the virus in Africa and providing universal treatment, prevention and care at $16.3bn.
War 'shrinks African economy'
The Africa's Missing Billions study quantified the cost of conflict by looking at the impact on countries' gross domestic product (GDP).
By comparing the GDP of conflict countries with that of peaceful countries in the same income bracket, the authors had been able to estimate the economic cost of conflict, including for example, the cost of lost trade. A civil war or insurgency was found to shrink an African economy by on average 15%.
The report formed part of a campaign for stricter controls on global arms sales, as laid down in the proposed United Nations arms trade treaty.
Most of the weapons used in African conflicts, including the widely used Kalashnikov assault rifle, were sourced from outside the continent.
While welcoming two regional African initiatives on arms control Oxfam, IANSA and Saferworld warned: "The arms trade is a global industry and needs a global, legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty."
Under the treaty, which was put to a vote in the UN General Assembly in 2006, the sales of weapons, where they were likely to be used to fuel conflicts, commit serious human rights violations or undermine sustainable development, would be banned.
Sapa-dpa
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