Inequality as Driver of Conflict: Insights and Reflections From the Horn of Africa

Introduction

Despite the documented progress on poverty reduction around the globe, yet social and economic inequalities persist and in some cases at an alarming rate. The United Nations report on the World Social Situation (2016) indicated that this documented progress has been uneven. The gap between rich and poor is still wide, and in addition to the rising trends of unemployment, inequality persists in all spheres, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental.

The topic of inequality usually viewed as an unwelcomed and politically sensitive issue, and it received little attention in international fora for decades. However, in the recent years research and reports from many United Nations Agencies and research institutions around the globe indicate that it is not possible to avoid any more the issue of inequality in research and policy debates. In Africa for instance debate around this issue has also started by some circles of research and organizations that advocate for equity and social inclusion.

The implications of rising inequality for social and economic development are many. There is growing evidence and recognition of its effects on economic growth, poverty reduction, social and economic stability and socially sustainable development (UNDP report, 2013). In its various forms, inequality is a major source of poverty, injustice, and sometimes of conflict (Stewart, 2013). The links between inequality and violent conflict is one of the oldest concerns of political economy (Crammer, 2005). The importance of inequalities as a cause of violent conflict has long been recognized from Aristotle to the United Nation Charter (Brinkman et al, 2013). It is almost universal to assume that an inequitable distribution of resources and wealth will provoke violent rebellion (Crammer,2005).

Recent estimates showed that middle income countries appear the most unequal. Gini index trends showed that Eastern Europe, Former Soviet Union and Asia had the largest increases between 1990 and 2008. Latin America remains the region with the highest level of income inequality. Sub-Saharan Africa remains highly unequal, but appeared to have reduced its Gini Index by almost 5 points on average since 1990 (Ortiz and Cummins, 2011).

In his recent book, ''The Price of Inequality”, Stiglitz (2012) asserted that there is mounting concern about the increase in inequality and about lack of opportunity and how both are changing economies, democratic politics and societies. He mentioned three historical uprisings in 1848, 1968 and recently in 2011, when people in the Middle East, starting from Tunisia, rose up to say that something is wrong and asked for change. This was due to failures and unfairness of economic and political systems. According to him, America has the highest level of inequality and the lowest levels of equality of opportunity.

Violent conflicts of one type or another have afflicted Africa and exacted a heavy toll on the continent’s societies, polities and economies, robbing them of their developmental potential and democratic possibilities (Tiyambe,2008). For instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa during the period 1960 – 1990, there have been about 80 violent changes of governments, and many of these countries also experienced different types of civil strife, conflicts and wars. At the beginning of the new millennium, there were 18 countries facing armed rebellion, 11 facing severe political crises, and 19 enjoying more or less various states of stable political conditions (Adedeji, 1999).