Issues and Trends in African Conflicts and Their Implications for the Spread of HIV/AIDs in Rwandan and Sierra Leonean Crises

Abstract

Background There have been scholarly responses and peace-agents interventions to the reality of diseases spread in African conflict situations. The problem however, is lack of adequate response to HIV/AIDs victims in the post-conflict era. This paper looked at the employment of HIV/AIDs transmission as a ‘New Instrument of Warfare’ (NIW) in Rwandan and Sierra Leonean conflicts and the challenges of the victims in the post-war period.Methods A historical survey of African conflicts with special interest in Rwanda and Sierra Leone was conducted through a combination of content analysis, descriptive and comparative approaches. Findings The study revealed the emergence of HIV/AIDs transmission as a NIW in Africa as used for ethnic cleansing strategy. The study finds speedy persistence of spread of HIV/AIDs and the unfortunate neglect of the vulnerable victims mostly women and children in the aftermath of war. A review of extant literature revealed certain contradictions in conflict responses by African states and international organisations during and after conflicts in Africa. Conclusion There is evidence of reoccurrence of the use of sexual violence and rape as weapon of warfare in Africa and the consequent spread of HIV/AIDs pandemic. The study observed that this act was deliberately meant for ethnic cleansing. The study shows that women and under aged children who are infected with HIV/AIDs also suffer infirmities such as VVF and other STIs. Curtailing the growing number of such cases will require designing of post-conflict collaborative response by peace agents to reduce the suffering of victims, provide access to Medicare, empowerment and education as disease control strategies.  

Keywords: Conflict zone, HIV/AIDS, vulnerable, eradication, persistence, rebels, weapon of war