Political Conflicts, State Collapse and Ebola Virus Disease: Prevalence in West Africa Examining the Nexus

Abstract

Using Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as case studies, this paper examines the political factors that enabled the outbreak and prevalence of Ebola virus in West Africa. The data are generated from Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Human Development Report, World Development Indicators, and Corruption Perception Index. The central argument is that protracted violent conflicts in the sub-region resulted in political instability, which collapsed governmental functions and socio-economic infrastructure and services. Thus, the inability of governments to respond effectively to the outbreak of Ebola is located in the absence of enabling and corresponding socio-economic infrastructure, especially in the rural areas. Consequently, the paper projects that the virus will remain a potent threat to human security in West Africa so long as infrastructure remains in a ruinous condition. Given this projection, the paper recommends overhauling socio-economic infrastructure and strengthening political stability through the institutionalisation of democratic principles in the sub-region.