Covid-19 pandemic in Africa: Global uncertainty and security quests

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact globally and in Africa, presenting numerous challenges in various areas. Like the rest of the world, Africa required enhanced security measures during the pandemic. The advent of the epidemic at a time of considerable global uncertainty has highlighted individual state activities, leaderlessness in particular. In Africa, however, there have been some situations of regional cooperation where states have joined forces to fight the pandemic. In this context, security concerns, including border control, food security, as well as military, economic, and cybersecurity have emerged as crucial issues extending beyond health amidst global unpredictability in Africa. These challenges have led African nations and non-state actors to seek various solutions to their problems and goals. This paper examines security issues in African politics, examining Covid-19's impact on security interests across various domains in an era of global unpredictability. The argument put forth is that African states with relatively robust capabilities and policies encouraging cooperation have handled the pandemic better than states with more independent behaviour.