Chronic Crises in the Arc of Insecurity: a case study of Karamoja

Abstract This aim of this paper is two-fold. The first aim is to expand on a claim that an ‘Arc of Insecurity’ stretches across sub-Saharan Africa. The second is to explore the difficulties of chronic crises within this arc. The paper will contrast countries that have experienced the following three indicators used to highlight the acute phase of a chronic crisis: conflict-related mortality, displacement and climatic disasters. The second part of the paper discusses ‘chronic crisis’ situations by utilising a case study of Karamoja, northeast Uganda. Karamoja is characterised by the worst humanitarian and development indicators in Uganda and its problems are indicative of other chronic situations. While countries, or more specifically, situations within countries, can be insecure, every situation remains unique. Responses to chronic situations need to be based on a solid understanding of the political–economic causation of crisis.