PUBLICATIONS

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the Chinese plan to “improve connectivity and regional co-operation on a trans-continental scale through large-scale investments.” The Chinese argue that the BRI will help develop global infrastructure. This paper investigates how the BRI is playing out in Africa. It argues that the Chinese government has ulterior motives and that countries must use caution when dealing with China. Countries that take a cautious approach to the BRI have seen some success. The African continent has been making strides towards a unified monetary union, and, similarly, African countries need to take a unified and limited approach to handle Chinese aid.

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has caused disruptions across the globe on a scale not previously imagined. The pandemic unquestionably presents an era-defining challenge to public health and the global economy. Notably, it has exacerbated existing crises in conflict-afflicted countries. In light of this, UN Secretary General Guterres called for a ceasefire to allow countries to address the pandemic as it was impossible to embark on two battles simultaneously. This paper contends that the same will be true for the post-COVID-19 recovery, as the presence or threat of conflict will render any attempts at economic growth extremely difficult.[i]          Furthermore, it recommends that the fight against COVID-19 should coincide with the fight against various socio-political crises and armed conflicts in order to lighten the challenge of rebuilding the economy and dealing with the conflicts after the pandemic.